West Covina's housing stock is dominated by single-family homes built mostly from the post-World War II era onward, with mid-century ranch and traditional styles on tree-lined streets. The South Hills area offers larger, hillside and view homes, some custom-built, with access to the South Hills Country Club. Condominiums, townhomes, and apartment communities add options near the city's commercial corridors. The city's location near three freeways and its established, comparatively affordable housing relative to the Westside of Los Angeles make it attractive to first-time buyers, families, and commuters seeking more space within the San Gabriel Valley.

West Covina's neighborhoods span flat central tracts and the southern foothills. The South Hills neighborhood is among the most desirable, known for larger hillside and view homes, winding streets, and proximity to South Hills Country Club, Galster Wilderness Park, and South Hills Plaza. Central and northern areas feature mid-century single-family tracts, condominiums, and townhomes near schools and shopping. The commercial spine along Vincent Avenue and Azusa Avenue, anchored by Plaza West Covina, puts most neighborhoods within a short drive of retail, dining, and services.

West Covina offers a convenient, family-oriented suburban lifestyle. Plaza West Covina and surrounding retail centers provide regional shopping, dining, and entertainment, while the city's restaurant scene reflects the San Gabriel Valley's celebrated diversity, from Asian cuisines to classic American fare. Community life centers on schools, youth sports, churches, and the city's many parks and recreation programs. The nearby South Hills add hiking and outdoor escapes, and residents enjoy the balance of a self-sufficient suburb with quick freeway access to Los Angeles and the Inland Empire.

Public education in West Covina is provided by the West Covina Unified School District, which operates about 15 schools serving roughly 7,800 students from elementary through high school. The district includes West Covina High School and several middle and elementary campuses across the city. Neighboring districts and private schools offer additional options in the San Gabriel Valley, and several community colleges and universities lie within commuting distance across the region. School-based athletics and programs remain central to family life in the city.

West Covina sits at the crossing of major Southern California freeways. Interstate 10 runs through the city toward downtown Los Angeles, about 19 miles west, while Interstate 605 provides north-south access to the San Gabriel Valley and Orange County, and State Route 60 lies just to the north. Metrolink's San Bernardino Line stops in neighboring Covina, offering rail service into downtown Los Angeles and the Inland Empire, and Foothill Transit operates local and express bus routes. The combination of freeway and rail options makes West Covina a well-connected base for commuters.

West Covina's recreation is anchored by its parks and the South Hills. Galster Wilderness Park is a 42-acre natural area with hiking trails, a nature center, and one of the region's stands of rare California black walnut trees. Cameron Park and other neighborhood parks provide sports fields, playgrounds, and community facilities, while the South Hills Country Club offers private golf. The San Gabriel Mountains, just to the north, provide extensive hiking, and the city's recreation programs, aquatic facilities, and community events keep residents active throughout the year.