Demarest's housing stock consists largely of single-family homes on generously sized, tree-lined lots, reflecting the borough's deliberate low-density character. Architectural styles range from colonial-era and Victorian-era homes to mid-century construction and newer custom builds, with limited multifamily or rental inventory. Because development has been constrained for decades, turnover is relatively low and the market skews toward established, well-maintained properties. The varied terrain and mature landscaping give the borough a distinctly residential feel compared with denser Bergen County neighbors.

Demarest is small enough that it functions as a single cohesive community rather than a collection of distinct neighborhoods. Homes cluster around the central Duck Pond, the Demarest Nature Center, and the winding residential streets that follow Tenakill Brook. Nearby towns — Closter, Cresskill, Tenafly, and Haworth — provide the surrounding commercial and civic context, and the Northern Valley Regional High School campus sits within the borough, anchoring the community's school-centered identity.

Daily life in Demarest is quiet, family-oriented, and centered on schools and the outdoors. The Duck Pond is a focal point where residents walk, skate, and gather, and the Demarest Nature Center provides trails and recreation fields. The borough itself has limited retail, so shopping and dining happen in neighboring Northern Valley towns or Manhattan. That small-town rhythm, combined with top-tier schools and a short city commute, defines the lifestyle that draws families to Demarest generation after generation.

Demarest operates its own K-8 school district, with elementary and middle school campuses serving borough students. For grades 9 through 12, students attend Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest, a nationally recognized school ranked among the top public high schools in New Jersey, which serves Demarest and several surrounding towns. The district's Advanced Placement offerings and college placement record are a key driver of the borough's residential appeal.

Demarest sits about eight miles north of the George Washington Bridge, placing Manhattan within a short drive or bus ride. New Jersey Transit buses serve the borough and surrounding towns, and the broader Northern Valley network connects to the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal and regional transit hubs. Many residents commute by car to the bridge or to park-and-ride facilities in neighboring communities, while Bergen County's road network provides access to employment centers across northern New Jersey.

The Demarest Nature Center anchors local recreation, with walking trails, playgrounds, tennis courts, and preserved open space along its grounds. The borough's Duck Pond on Tenakill Brook is a popular spot for walking and seasonal skating. Beyond town, the Northern Valley offers county parks and golf courses, and the Palisades and Hudson River frontage provide additional green space within a short drive. The borough's compact, walkable core and quiet streets make it easy to enjoy the outdoors close to home.