Fair Lawn's housing market is characterized by variety and stability. The borough's stock includes single-family homes, attached homes, townhouses, condominiums, and co-ops, giving buyers at different stages of life a range of options rarely found in a single municipality. Much of the housing dates to the mid-20th century, when Fair Lawn developed as a post-war suburb, and many homes feature traditional Colonial, ranch, and split-level designs on modest, tree-lined lots. The Radburn district is the market's most distinctive component, with its garden-city-era homes arranged around shared green spaces and pedestrian paths. Newer construction and infill development supplement the older inventory. The borough's mix of housing types, established neighborhoods, and proximity to transit has made it a long-standing choice for commuters, first-time buyers, and downsizers alike.

Radburn is Fair Lawn's most famous neighborhood and a nationally significant piece of planning history. Founded in 1929 as a "town for the motor age," it features superblock layouts, homes that front onto shared parkland rather than streets, and a network of pedestrian paths separated from automobile traffic. Its community association maintains parks, playgrounds, and swimming pools for residents. Beyond Radburn, Fair Lawn is organized around several established residential sections between Route 4 and Route 208. Central Fair Lawn encompasses diverse neighborhoods offering convenient access to shopping, parks, and schools, with housing ranging from single-family homes to apartment buildings and co-ops. The areas near the Radburn and Broadway train stations are particularly convenient for commuters, while the borough's overall compact size keeps most homes within reach of its commercial corridors and recreational facilities.

Fair Lawn offers the classic Bergen County suburban lifestyle: quiet residential streets, strong schools, and convenient access to both local amenities and New York City. The borough's commercial corridors along Broadway and River Road host a mix of restaurants, bakeries, and everyday retail, reflecting the area's diverse community and its significant kosher and international food offerings. Community life centers on the Recreation and Parks Department's programs, including summer camps and the Memorial Park pool, as well as seasonal events and youth sports. Radburn maintains its own neighborhood association with parks, playgrounds, and community pools, adding a distinctive layer of civic life. Residents enjoy the balance of a self-contained, family-oriented town with the cultural and employment opportunities of Manhattan roughly a short train or bus ride away.

Fair Lawn is served by Fair Lawn Public Schools, one of the larger districts in Bergen County, operating nine schools and enrolling roughly 5,700 students. The district includes multiple elementary schools, two middle schools, and Fair Lawn High School, and is known for strong academic programming, honors and Advanced Placement courses, and a wide range of extracurricular activities. The district's scale and reputation are central to the borough's identity as a family-oriented community, and its schools consistently draw families seeking both educational quality and suburban convenience. Private and parochial options in Bergen County supplement the public system, and the borough's proximity to New Jersey's higher-education institutions provides additional opportunities for continuing education.

Fair Lawn is well served by rail, with two NJ Transit stations — Radburn and Broadway — on the Bergen County Line. Commuters ride to Secaucus Junction for connections to midtown Manhattan or continue to Hoboken for PATH service to Lower Manhattan, making the borough a practical base for New York City workers. NJ Transit bus routes along the borough's main roads provide additional connections into Manhattan and across Bergen County. By car, Route 4 and Route 208 run through the borough, and the Garden State Parkway and Interstate 80 are within short reach. The borough's location roughly 12 miles northwest of Manhattan, combined with its dual rail stations and highway access, gives residents flexible commuting options by either transit or automobile.

Memorial Park is the centerpiece of Fair Lawn's recreational offerings, featuring multiple ball fields, sports courts, an inline skating rink, a playground, and a seasonal community pool that anchors summer programs and camps. The borough's Recreation and Parks Department organizes youth sports, summer camps, and community events throughout the year. Radburn adds its own layer of recreation through its community association, which maintains private parks, playgrounds, and swimming pools for residents of the historic district. Additional neighborhood parks and school fields are distributed across the borough. Fair Lawn's location near the Passaic River and larger Bergen County and Passaic County park systems gives residents access to regional trails, golf courses, and open space beyond the borough's borders.