West Milford's housing market is shaped by its lakes and forests. Lakefront homes and lake-community cottages are a defining segment, with waterfront inventory limited and consistently in demand. The broader stock includes Cape Cod and colonial-style homes, mid-century ranches, and a mix of newer construction on larger, wooded lots. Private lake communities, including areas around Green Pond and Upper Greenwood Lake, offer membership-based beach and boating access, while public lakes provide broader access. Because much of the township is preserved forest and watershed land, residential development is spread across hamlets and winding rural roads rather than dense subdivisions. The market's appeal rests on acreage, privacy, and water access rather than walkable density.

West Milford's communities are organized around its lakes and historic hamlets rather than a single downtown. Newfoundland, in the southern part of the township, sits along Route 23 and the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway line and functions as a local commercial and residential center. Greenwood Lake's New Jersey shore and the Upper Greenwood Lake area offer waterfront living and boating access. Shady Lake and other smaller lake communities feature Cape Cod-style homes and neighborhood beaches. The Green Pond area, associated with a private lake community, provides a more secluded, membership-based setting. Beyond these, scattered residential roads and larger-acreage properties fill the township's forested interior, giving West Milford a uniquely dispersed, lake-and-ridge character.

Life in West Milford revolves around the water and the woods. The township's many lakes — Greenwood Lake foremost among them — anchor a culture of boating, swimming, ice fishing, and lakeside gatherings, with a strong sense of community among the lake associations. The surrounding Highlands offer four-season outdoor recreation, from summer kayaking on the Wanaque River to autumn leaf-peeping hikes and winter activities. Community life is marked by local traditions, including the West Milford Autumn Lights Festival and the Greenwood Lake Air Show. The township retains a distinctly rural, small-town character compared with the denser Passaic County communities to the east, appealing to residents who prioritize space, privacy, and direct access to nature over suburban convenience.

West Milford is served by the West Milford Township Public Schools, a compact district comprising about seven schools and enrolling roughly 3,000 students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. The district's small scale yields a notably low student-to-teacher ratio — around 11 to 1 — and close-knit schools that draw families seeking a more individualized setting. Students attend West Milford High School, and the district offers a full range of academic, arts, and athletic programs. Families also have access to private and parochial options in the surrounding region. For higher education, county colleges and universities across northern New Jersey are within commuting distance, as are institutions in the broader New York metropolitan area.

West Milford is reached primarily by New Jersey Route 23, which runs north-south through the township and connects to Interstate 80 and Interstate 287 for access to the wider region. The route follows a corridor used since the 19th century, when turnpikes first linked the Highlands to Newark and Paterson. The New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway continues to pass through the township, though for freight service only, and local bus service provides public transit options. Commuting to northern New Jersey employment centers and New York City — roughly 40 miles to the southeast — is a common pattern, with most households relying on private vehicles given the township's dispersed, rural layout.

West Milford is surrounded by preserved open space and is a gateway to some of New Jersey's best outdoor recreation. Greenwood Lake, the township's largest water body, supports boating, fishing, and swimming, while the Wanaque River is popular for kayaking and canoeing. The Apshawa Preserve offers forested hiking trails and scenic views, and Long Pond Ironworks State Park combines hiking with the ruins of a historic ironmaking village. Nearby, Abram S. Hewitt State Forest and Ringwood State Park extend the trail network, and the Appalachian Trail passes within a short distance of the township. Brown's Point Park on Greenwood Lake serves as a local gathering spot, and the lake-and-ridge landscape supports four-season activities from paddling to cross-country recreation.