Daytona Beach's housing stock reflects its dual identity as a coastal resort and a working Florida city. Along the beachside peninsula, mid-century motels, oceanfront condominium buildings, and low-rise apartments predominate, while the mainland holds a broader mix of single-family homes from the mid-20th century and newer subdivisions. The Seabreeze Historic District and the riverside Historic District preserve early-20th-century architecture on tree-lined streets near the Halifax River, offering restored bungalows and character homes. Inland neighborhoods tend toward larger lots and ranch-style construction, giving buyers a range of styles from vintage coastal cottages to modern planned communities.

Daytona Beach's neighborhoods divide roughly between the beachside and the mainland. The Historic District near the Halifax River is known for well-preserved early-20th-century homes and its proximity to the Daytona Beach Bandshell and Jackie Robinson Ballpark. The Seabreeze Historic District on the peninsula offers a walkable collection of older homes with varied architectural styles. Farther south along the coast, beachside condominium corridors line Atlantic Avenue, while the mainland includes established residential areas around the airport, the Speedway, and along the International Speedway Boulevard corridor, where newer subdivisions have expanded the city's housing options.

Life in Daytona Beach is anchored by the ocean and a packed events calendar. Residents have year-round access to miles of drivable beach, along with surfing, fishing, and boating on the Atlantic and the Halifax River. The Daytona 500 anchors February, while Bike Week and Biketoberfest draw motorcycle enthusiasts to the area each year. The beachside core around Atlantic Avenue and the boardwalk area offers restaurants, nightlife, and seasonal festivals, and the riverside district adds quieter cultural stops such as the Museum of Arts and Sciences. The presence of two universities and a state college brings a year-round student and academic presence to the community.

Public schools in Daytona Beach are part of Volusia County Schools, the district serving the county's cities, including Daytona Beach, DeLand, Deltona, Ormond Beach, and New Smyrna Beach. Higher education is a defining feature of the area: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a nationally recognized aerospace and aviation institution, and Bethune-Cookman University, a historically Black university, are both located in the city, while Daytona State College serves the broader Volusia region. Nearby options also include Stetson University in DeLand and the University of Central Florida in Orlando, giving residents access to institutions across the higher-education spectrum.

Daytona Beach is served by two major interstates: I-95, which runs north toward Jacksonville and south toward the Space Coast and Miami, and I-4, which links the city to Orlando and Tampa to the southwest. U.S. Route 1, U.S. 92, and State Road A1A provide local and coastal connections. Daytona Beach International Airport, located near the center of the city, offers scheduled commercial service, and Groome Transportation runs shuttle service to Orlando's airports. Votran operates public bus service across Volusia County, while the beach itself is a drivable, hard-packed shoreline that has long doubled as a unique local roadway.

Recreation in Daytona Beach centers on the Atlantic shoreline and the Halifax River, with surfing, swimming, fishing, paddleboarding, and beach driving among the signature activities. Volusia County maintains dozens of beachfront and inland parks, and the area's trail system includes multi-use pathways such as the Sweetheart Trail. Nearby Blue Spring State Park draws manatees to its warm springs from November through March, and the region's state and local parks offer hiking, biking, kayaking, and wildlife viewing. Motorsports at Daytona International Speedway and events at the historic Daytona Beach Bandshell round out a recreation scene that pairs the outdoors with major spectator traditions.