Fort Lee's housing is defined by density and views. The borough is dominated by high-rise condominium and cooperative buildings, many along the Palisades, offering studio-to-three-bedroom units with Manhattan skyline and Hudson River views. Landmark towers such as The Palisades, Horizon House, and The Colony anchor the skyline, alongside newer construction. Below the towers, older neighborhoods hold single-family and two-family homes, townhouses, and low-rise apartments from the borough's pre-war and mid-century growth. The market appeals to Manhattan commuters, downsizers, and investors seeking urban living and views at a distance of minutes from New York, with limited single-family inventory keeping the character distinctly vertical near the cliffs.

Fort Lee's neighborhoods climb from the riverfront to the Palisades. The high-rise corridor along the cliff edge — home to The Palisades, Horizon House, and The Colony — forms the borough's densest residential district, with buildings oriented toward the George Washington Bridge and the Manhattan skyline. The downtown and Main Street area hold the borough's commercial center, with restaurants, markets, and civic buildings. Older residential streets behind the commercial core contain single- and two-family homes and low-rise apartment buildings, giving parts of Fort Lee a more traditional Bergen County feel. Palisades Interstate Park runs along the cliff, separating the built environment from the dramatic drop to the Hudson.

Fort Lee offers a dense, cosmopolitan, transit-rich lifestyle on Manhattan's doorstep. The borough's high-rise residential towers fill with commuters who cross the George Washington Bridge daily, and its streets are lined with restaurants, cafés, and shops reflecting a notably diverse population. The dining scene is a regional draw, and the Palisades cliffs provide dramatic open space with Manhattan views. A quiet film-history undercurrent runs through the town — America's first film capital — while the George Washington Bridge looms as both landmark and lifeline. Life here is fast-paced, urban, and convenient, blending suburban Bergen County practicality with direct access to New York City.

Fort Lee is served by the Fort Lee Public Schools, a comprehensive community district covering pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. The district operates a set of elementary schools — School No. 1 through School No. 4 — along with the Lewis F. Cole Intermediate School, Lewis F. Cole Middle School, and Fort Lee High School. The district reflects the borough's diversity, with a substantial majority of students from minority backgrounds, and is known for its academic programs and community engagement. For a borough of Fort Lee's density and proximity to New York, the local schools anchor family life and are a key consideration for households choosing the community.

Fort Lee's transportation is centered on the George Washington Bridge, whose western terminus lies within the borough. NJ Transit bus routes — including the 154, 156, 158, 159, and 182 — connect Fort Lee to the bridge's Manhattan bus station and the Port Authority Bus Terminal, with crossing times as short as 13 minutes and midtown rides of roughly 35 minutes. Local jitney buses add frequent service, and nearby Edgewater and Weehawken offer ferry options. The bridge itself carries pedestrians and cyclists across the Hudson. For drivers, the bridge links to Manhattan and the region's highways, though peak-hour traffic across the crossing is a familiar part of borough life.

Palisades Interstate Park is Fort Lee's defining open space, running along the cliff edge with trails, overlooks, and historic sites that frame the George Washington Bridge and the Manhattan skyline. The park's riverside paths and the borough's walkable streets provide everyday outdoor space, while the Hudson River and nearby Bergen County parks extend the options. Fort Lee's recreation is as much urban as natural: a deep dining scene, easy access to Manhattan's culture and entertainment, and community events. The George Washington Bridge itself offers pedestrian and bicycle access across the Hudson, connecting the borough to Manhattan's recreational and cultural resources within minutes.