West Caldwell's housing is predominantly single-family, with colonials, split-levels, and ranches on suburban lots, much of it built during the post-World War II expansion of Essex County's western suburbs. Condominium and townhome developments, many along the commercial corridors, add options for smaller households and first-time buyers. The township also contains a significant office and retail base along Bloomfield and Passaic avenues. Home values are solid by New Jersey standards, reflecting the area's schools and commuter access, and the housing stock is generally well maintained.

West Caldwell's neighborhoods are organized around its school network and main roads rather than formal subdivisions. Residential streets fan out from Bloomfield Avenue and Passaic Avenue, with the areas near Washington and Wilson elementary schools serving as familiar anchors. The township blends seamlessly with Caldwell and North Caldwell, sharing schools, shopping, and civic life, while Essex Fells and Roseland border it to the south. Grover Cleveland Park in nearby Caldwell is a regional green space.

West Caldwell offers a comfortable, family-centered suburban life. Youth sports, the schools, and community organizations anchor the social calendar, and the township's recreation facilities and nearby county parks provide outdoor space. Dining and shopping range from the local commercial districts to the larger retail at Willowbrook Mall and along Route 46. The proximity to Montclair's dining scene, Verona and Cedar Grove's parklands, and Manhattan's cultural offerings gives residents an appealing balance of suburb and city access.

West Caldwell is part of the Caldwell-West Caldwell Public Schools, a seven-school district serving both towns with roughly 2,700 students. James Caldwell High School, the district's 9-12 campus, is located in West Caldwell, along with several elementary schools, while Grover Cleveland Middle School is in Caldwell. The district is well regarded and a central draw for families. Higher education is nearby at Montclair State University, Caldwell University, and the broader institutions of the New York region.

West Caldwell sits about sixteen miles from Manhattan, served by a mix of local and express bus routes to New York's Port Authority Bus Terminal, with the Willowbrook Mall park-and-ride and the Montclair State University rail station nearby. Bloomfield Avenue and Passaic Avenue are the township's main corridors, connecting to Route 46, Interstate 80, and the Garden State Parkway. The drive into Manhattan is roughly thirty-five minutes in light traffic, and Newark Liberty International Airport lies a short distance to the southeast.

West Caldwell maintains township parks and athletic fields that host youth and adult leagues, while the Essex County park system surrounds the area with larger green space. Grover Cleveland Park in Caldwell, the South Mountain Reservation, and Eagle Rock Reservation offer trails, playgrounds, and views of the New York skyline. Golf courses, community pools, and the Watchung Mountains' hiking add to the outdoor options, and the township's recreation programs serve residents year-round.