Agoura Hills' housing stock reflects its deliberate low-density planning. Much of the city consists of single-family homes on larger lots, ranging from 1970s and 1980s ranch and hillside homes in the earliest tracts to newer custom and gated properties. Equestrian-zoned areas and canyon lots offer room for stables and rural-style living, while the Lake Lindero community clusters homes around a private lake. Open space and ridgeline protections limit large-scale new development, so the market is characterized by established neighborhoods and custom hillside homes rather than dense subdivisions or high-rises.

Agoura Hills' neighborhoods spread across the valley floor and up into the surrounding hills. The first housing tracts—Hillrise, Liberty Canyon, and Lake Lindero—remain among its most established communities, with Lake Lindero built around its namesake lake and recreational amenities. Canyon and hillside areas offer larger lots, some zoned for equestrian use, with views of the Santa Monica Mountains. Farther along the 101 corridor, newer gated and custom-home enclaves sit close to open space, while the city's commercial areas cluster near the freeway, leaving the residential streets quiet and green.

Agoura Hills offers a quiet, family-oriented way of life centered on the outdoors. Weekend activity revolves around trailheads into the Santa Monica Mountains, neighborhood parks, and the lake at the center of the Lake Lindero community. The city's low-key, low-density character contrasts with the faster pace of the San Fernando Valley, while the shopping, dining, and entertainment of Westlake Village and Calabasas are minutes away. The strong local school system and abundant open space make the city a draw for families seeking a suburban setting with direct access to nature.

Public schools in Agoura Hills are part of the Las Virgenes Unified School District, a K–12 district of about fifteen schools serving Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Bell Canyon, and the Los Angeles County portion of Westlake Village. The district is consistently recognized among the region's strongest and draws families to the area for its schools. In addition to the public system, the surrounding Conejo Valley offers a number of private and independent school options, giving families a range of educational choices.

Agoura Hills is centered on the Ventura Freeway (U.S. Route 101), the region's principal corridor to Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley, and Ventura County. Commuters heading toward Los Angeles can also reach the 405 Freeway and Pacific Coast Highway as alternatives, though the 101 is the city's main artery. The city's compact size and network of local roads keep everyday trips short, while regional destinations—from Malibu and the coast to the Conejo Valley's employment centers—are reachable by car. Transit options are limited, so automobile travel predominates.

The Santa Monica Mountains define recreation in Agoura Hills. Trailheads from the city lead into the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, with popular routes to Ladyface Peak, the Rock Pool via Crags Road, and sections of the Backbone Trail. Nearby Malibu Creek State Park and the mountains' ridgeline trails offer hiking, mountain biking, and sweeping chaparral views. Within the city, the Lake Lindero community provides lake recreation and green space, while neighborhood parks serve sports and families. The city's open space and equestrian trails also support the area's long-standing horse-keeping tradition.