Kinnelon's housing stock is dominated by single-family homes on larger, wooded lots, reflecting the borough's zoning and its history as a private estate. Many houses are substantial colonials, contemporaries, and expanded ranches built from the mid-twentieth century onward, with the gated Smoke Rise community representing the high end of the market with lakefront and estate properties. Fayson Lakes offers a more classic lakeside-community character. The emphasis throughout is on privacy, lot size, and natural surroundings.

Two lake communities anchor Kinnelon. Smoke Rise is an upscale, gated lakeside community created from the Kinney family estate, known for its private roads, club, and lakefront homes. Fayson Lakes is the borough's other lake-centered enclave, with a more traditional neighborhood feel and water access for residents. Beyond them, much of Kinnelon consists of wooded, single-home neighborhoods on hillside and ridge lots, linked by the borough's limited commercial district and miles of open space.

Kinnelon offers a woodsy, unhurried suburban lifestyle defined by lakes and preserved land. Residents emphasize the town's safety, its strong schools, and the chance to live close to nature while remaining within reach of New York City. Community life revolves around the lake communities, the schools, and outdoor recreation in the surrounding Highlands. The borough's deliberate low-density character keeps traffic light and green space abundant, appealing strongly to families and nature-oriented commuters.

Kinnelon is served by Kinnelon Public Schools, a district known locally for strong performance and community support, with the borough's elementary, middle, and high schools educating students directly. The quality of the schools is a central reason families choose to live in the borough. For private schooling and additional options, residents look across Morris County, which offers a range of well-regarded public and independent schools within a short drive.

Kinnelon is a commuter borough. NJ Transit bus routes serve the town, and rail stations in the surrounding area connect riders to New York City, keeping Manhattan within a realistic daily commute. Regional highways, including Route 23 and Interstate 287, link Kinnelon to the rest of Morris County and the broader northern New Jersey network. The town's hill-and-lake geography means most daily errands and commutes are made by car.

Outdoor recreation is woven into daily life in Kinnelon. Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area, a short drive away, offers hiking trails, campgrounds, and panoramic views of the Highlands, while Silas Condict County Park features a pristine lake and walking paths. Within the borough, the Smoke Rise and Fayson Lakes communities provide private lake access, and the surrounding preserved land supports walking, mountain biking, and nature study throughout the year.