Walnut's housing is dominated by master-planned, single-family homes on the city's hillsides and in its established subdivisions. Much of the stock was built from the 1960s through the 1990s as the former ranchland was developed, producing a landscape of spacious detached homes, many with views across the San Gabriel Valley. Lot sizes tend to be larger than in denser parts of the region, and the city's equestrian heritage means a number of properties include horse-keeping facilities and direct trail access. Condominiums and townhomes appear in a smaller share, primarily near commercial corridors. The overall character is suburban and family-oriented, with a strong emphasis on space, views, and quiet residential streets.

Walnut's neighborhoods are largely master-planned and hillside-oriented, spread across the slopes of the San Jose Hills. Residential areas range from the established subdivisions near the city's center to larger, newer homes on the hillsides, many with panoramic valley and mountain views. Several neighborhoods retain equestrian zoning, with horse trails and stables integrated into the residential fabric. The city's commercial activity clusters along Grand Avenue and the surrounding arterials, while the Mt. SAC campus forms a distinct institutional district. Walnut's compact, low-density layout gives most neighborhoods a calm, suburban feel, and its border with Diamond Bar and West Covina means residents share the broader eastern San Gabriel Valley's amenities.

Walnut offers a quiet, family-oriented lifestyle within the larger Los Angeles metro. The city's hillside trails and equestrian culture shape daily recreation, and its low-density, master-planned neighborhoods provide a sense of calm rare in the denser parts of the region. Education is a central part of community life, with the Walnut Valley Unified School District and Mt. San Antonio College both major anchors. Residents enjoy proximity to the shopping and dining of Diamond Bar, West Covina, and the City of Industry, while downtown Los Angeles and the Inland Empire are within commuting range. Walnut appeals especially to families and professionals seeking strong schools, space, and a hillside setting in the eastern San Gabriel Valley.

Walnut is served primarily by the Walnut Valley Unified School District, a highly regarded K-12 district that also covers the southern portion of Diamond Bar and a small part of West Covina. The district's schools consistently post strong academic results and support a full range of extracurricular and advanced coursework programs. Mt. San Antonio College, located in Walnut, is one of California's largest community colleges, offering more than 400 degree and certificate programs and serving as a major pathway to the state's four-year universities. The combination of a top-rated school district and a major community college campus makes education one of Walnut's defining advantages for families.

Walnut sits in the eastern San Gabriel Valley, with access to the region's major freeway network. State Route 60 (Pomona Freeway) runs along the city's southern edge, while the Orange (57) Freeway lies just to the east, providing routes toward Los Angeles, Orange County, and the Inland Empire. The San Bernardino (10) Freeway is also within a short drive to the north. Metrolink's San Bernardino Line serves nearby stations in Industry and Pomona, offering a rail alternative for commuters. Downtown Los Angeles is roughly thirty miles west, with commute times varying widely by traffic. The city's hillside setting and equestrian trails also make it popular with residents who commute to the employment corridors of the San Gabriel Valley and beyond.

Walnut maintains more than thirty miles of equestrian and hiking trails, a defining feature of the city's outdoors-oriented character. The trail network winds through the San Jose Hills, connecting neighborhoods to county trails and offering scenic walks, rides, and hikes with valley views. The city's parks provide sports fields, playgrounds, and open space, while nearby Schabarum Regional Park in Rowland Heights and the Puente Hills offer additional hiking and equestrian opportunities. Mt. SAC's campus and athletics add to the community's recreational and cultural life. For larger destinations, the mountains, beaches, and attractions of greater Los Angeles and Orange County are within a day-trip drive.