Edgewater's housing stock is dominated by single-family homes, with a significant share of waterfront and canal-front properties that appeal to boaters. Construction spans several decades, from mid-century ranch homes to newer custom builds along the lagoon, alongside inland subdivisions and some manufactured-home communities. Lot sizes tend to be more generous than in nearby coastal cities, and the overall feel is low-density and residential. Owner-occupancy is high, and the community attracts retirees and second-home buyers drawn to the water. The market's character is defined by access to the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon rather than dense new development, keeping the city's quiet, small-town scale intact.

Edgewater is best understood by its water access rather than a set of sharply defined named districts. The areas along the Indian River and its canals hold the most desirable waterfront and boating homes, while interior neighborhoods offer more conventional single-family subdivisions. The Menard-May Park and Hawks Park areas anchor community life, providing green space and recreation within residential blocks. The city's eastern edge opens onto the Indian River Lagoon and Mosquito Lagoon, giving many streets a water-oriented feel. Because Edgewater sits directly south of New Smyrna Beach, residents share that city's amenities and beach access while enjoying Edgewater's quieter, more spread-out character.

Life in Edgewater centers on the water. The Indian River Lagoon supports boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing, and the city's Blueway Community status reflects a culture built around paddling trails and public water access. The pace is relaxed, with a substantial retiree population and a close-knit, small-town feel. Residents gather at waterfront parks such as Menard-May Park for picnics, boat launches, and sunset views, while Hawks Park hosts athletic fields and community events. Dining and entertainment are close by in New Smyrna Beach, and the Atlantic surf beaches are only a few minutes east, giving Edgewater residents the best of both calm lagoonfront living and easy coastal access.

Edgewater is served by Volusia County Schools, one of Florida's larger public school districts. Students in the area attend schools that include New Smyrna Beach High School and Discovery Academy, with elementary and middle schools located in and around the city and neighboring New Smyrna Beach. Families also have access to private and charter options within the broader Volusia County system. The district provides a range of academic and extracurricular programs across the Daytona Beach region. For relocating families, Edgewater's school options connect to the same district infrastructure serving the greater Deltona–Daytona Beach–Ormond Beach area.

Edgewater sits just east of Interstate 95, which runs the length of Florida's east coast and connects the city to Daytona Beach to the north and Titusville and the Space Coast to the south. U.S. Route 1 passes through the area, offering a local alternative to the interstate and linking Edgewater to New Smyrna Beach. State Road 442 provides east-west access between I-95 and the coast. The city is a short drive from New Smyrna Beach and roughly 20 miles south of Daytona Beach, while Daytona Beach International Airport and Orlando's airports serve regional and long-distance travel. Most residents rely on private vehicles, reflecting the area's spread-out, suburban-rural layout.

Outdoor recreation defines Edgewater. Menard-May Park offers a waterfront green space with boat access and picnic areas, while Indian River Lagoon Park features a beach, fishing pier, kayak rentals, and nature trails. Hawks Park provides athletic fields, a community center, and walking paths. As a designated Blueway Community, the city maintains paddling trails that wind through the lagoon's mangrove and marsh habitat, popular with kayakers and wildlife watchers. Nearby, Mosquito Lagoon and Canaveral National Seashore offer additional fishing, boating, and nature viewing, and the Atlantic beaches of New Smyrna Beach are minutes away for surfing and swimming.