Harrington Park's housing is almost entirely single-family, with well-maintained homes on tree-lined streets and a mix of mid-century ranches, colonials, and newer construction. Lots range from compact to generous, and the borough has minimal multifamily or commercial development. The market is steady and family-oriented, reflecting the community's strong schools and quiet suburban character. As a built-out Northern Valley borough, most of its housing stock is established rather than newly developed.

Harrington Park is small enough that its neighborhoods flow together around the local school and borough hall. Residential streets radiate through the community, with some areas near the Hackensack River and Oradell Reservoir offering water-adjacent settings. The borough borders Closter, Norwood, and Old Tappan, and shares the Northern Valley's pattern of quiet, tree-lined single-family streets with neighborhood parks and little commercial intrusion.

Life in Harrington Park is quiet, safe, and family-centered. Schools, youth sports, and community events anchor the social calendar, and residents value the borough's low-key, neighborly character. Shopping and dining are found in nearby Closter, Westwood, and the larger Bergen County commercial corridors. With parks, the reservoir, and the Hackensack River nearby, residents enjoy suburban open space while retaining a manageable commute to New York City.

The Harrington Park School District serves students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade at the borough's local school, offering a close-knit educational environment. Students then attend Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan, one of New Jersey's recognized regional high schools. The district pairing is a primary draw for families, and the borough's location also provides access to nearby private, parochial, and specialty schools across northern Bergen County.

Harrington Park is served by NJ Transit bus routes and Rockland Coaches for commuter service into New York City, while the Pascack Valley Line runs nearby through Westwood, connecting to Secaucus Junction and Hoboken. The borough's location places it a short drive from the Palisades Interstate Parkway and Route 17, providing access across Bergen County. Commuting patterns center on the New York metropolitan area, with both bus and rail options available close by.

Recreation in Harrington Park centers on its neighborhood parks, playgrounds, and athletic fields, with the Oradell Reservoir and Hackensack River corridor offering nearby open space and scenery. The surrounding Northern Valley and Palisades region add hiking, cycling, and county park facilities, while the larger Bergen County park system provides golf, trails, and sports complexes within a short drive. Community recreation programs run through the schools and borough.