Allendale's housing market is positioned at the higher end of Bergen County, reflecting the borough's schools, transit access, and village character. The stock spans several eras: late-nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century homes line the older streets near the downtown, while mid-century ranches and split-levels fill the neighborhoods developed during the post-war years, and newer construction appears on infill lots and larger parcels. Many historic homes have been carefully maintained or restored. The borough is predominantly single-family, with a limited supply of multifamily units, and its desirability means homes tend to be well kept and the market competitive. The overall character is established, leafy, and suburban rather than newly built.

Allendale is organized around its downtown and railroad corridor, with residential streets extending outward into several distinct pockets. The area near the train station and central business district holds the oldest homes and the borough's civic buildings, giving it a village feel. To the west and north, mid-century subdivisions of ranches and split-levels fan out along quiet, tree-lined streets. The Crestwood Lake area, near the borough's northern edge, and neighborhoods adjoining the Celery Farm offer settings closer to open space and water. Because the borough is compact, no neighborhood is far from the station, schools, or downtown, and the overall feel is cohesive rather than segmented.

Life in Allendale combines small-town convenience with suburban comfort. The downtown offers a walkable mix of shops, cafes, and restaurants, and the borough's recreation programs, seasonal events, and community organizations give it an active local social fabric. The Celery Farm draws walkers and birdwatchers year-round, while the nearby downtowns of Ridgewood and Ramsey expand dining and retail options. Families are drawn by the schools and the safe, quiet streets, and many residents are commuters who value being able to walk to the train. The borough's affluence is understated, and its character is more village than showplace, with a strong sense of local continuity.

Allendale's public schools are a central reason families choose the borough. The Allendale School District operates Hillside Elementary School for grades pre-K through 3 and Brookside Middle School for grades 4 through 8, together educating nearly 1,000 students. For high school, students attend Northern Highlands Regional High School, located within Allendale, which serves Allendale, Ho-Ho-Kus, Saddle River, and Upper Saddle River and is consistently regarded as one of the stronger regional high schools in Bergen County. The presence of both a local K–8 system and a well-regarded regional high school within the borough gives Allendale families a complete, convenient public-school pathway, supplemented by private and parochial options in neighboring towns.

Allendale has its own NJ Transit rail station on the Main/Bergen County Line, providing service toward Hoboken with connections to New York City, as well as some westbound trains toward Suffern and Port Jervis. The station includes commuter parking. Local bus routes and nearby Route 17 and Interstate 287 give drivers access to northern New Jersey employment centers and the George Washington Bridge, roughly 25 to 30 miles to the southeast. Newark Liberty International Airport is reachable in about 45 minutes. This combination of a downtown station, highway access, and a compact, walkable center makes Allendale especially convenient for commuters.

The centerpiece of outdoor recreation in Allendale is the Celery Farm, a 107-acre freshwater wetland preserve known for its walking trails, boardwalks, and exceptional birdwatching. Managed for conservation and quiet enjoyment, it is a rare natural oasis in a densely developed county and a defining local amenity. The borough also maintains neighborhood parks and sports fields that support its youth recreation programs, while the broader Bergen County park system, including Saddle River County Park, offers additional trails, ponds, and green space nearby. For larger outings, residents can reach the Ramapo Mountains and Harriman State Park within a moderate drive.