Green Valley Lake's housing is dominated by mountain cabins, chalets, and modest single-family homes tucked among the pines, many used as second homes or vacation rentals as well as full-time residences. The stock ranges from cozy original-era cabins to newer mountain builds, with lake-view and lake-adjacent properties carrying the most appeal. Because the community is small and surrounded by national forest, buildable land is limited and inventory stays tight. Buyers are drawn by the elevation, the lake, and the relative affordability of the higher, less-developed mountain communities, trading convenience and services for seclusion and scenery.

Green Valley Lake offers a classic mountain-resort lifestyle: quiet, forested, and unhurried, with a rhythm set by the seasons rather than the clock. Summers center on the lake — fishing, swimming, and small boats — while winters bring snow play and easy access to the slopes. The community is small enough that neighbors know one another, and its local events, markets, and gatherings keep a close-knit feel. It appeals to a mix of full-time mountain residents, weekend cabin owners, and visitors seeking a higher, quieter alternative to the larger lake resorts nearby. Seclusion and clean mountain air are the defining daily luxuries.

Green Valley Lake is served by the Rim of the World Unified School District, which educates students across the San Bernardino mountain communities from Crestline to Green Valley Lake. The district operates elementary, intermediate, and high schools along the mountain ridge, including Rim of the World High School. Mountain families travel some distance for school, and the district's small scale fosters close community ties. For higher education and specialized programs, residents look to the Inland Empire cities below the mountain, a commute that reflects the trade-offs of living at elevation.

Green Valley Lake is reached from State Highway 18, the main route along the San Bernardino Mountains' crest, with the community sitting a few miles off the highway between Arrowbear and Running Springs. The location is about 90 minutes from the Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego areas, making it a practical weekend and seasonal destination. There is no transit service, and winter weather can require chains or four-wheel drive, so residents rely on private vehicles. The steep, winding mountain roads are part of the community's character, favoring a slower, more deliberate pace of travel.

Green Valley Lake's recreation follows the seasons. In summer, the roughly nine-acre lake is the focus, with fishing, swimming, and small-boat use, while the surrounding national forest offers hiking and mountain biking. In winter, the community's high elevation brings reliable snow, and the Snow Valley and Snow Drift snow-play and ski areas are a short drive away. The Rim of the World Recreation and Park District maintains local playgrounds and facilities, and the community hosts seasonal gatherings, from music and markets to holiday events. The nearby Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear resorts extend dining and recreation options within a short drive.