Perth Amboy's housing stock is largely older and urban in character, with a mix of single-family homes, two- and three-family houses, and apartment buildings, much of it developed during the city's industrial and early twentieth-century growth. The historic waterfront district includes preserved colonial-era architecture alongside more recent construction. As a built-out older city, Perth Amboy offers housing that is generally more accessible than in surrounding Middlesex County suburbs, with a substantial share of renters. Turnover and renovation of existing properties, along with selective waterfront development, shape most of the market.

Perth Amboy is organized around its waterfront and the commercial spine of its downtown, with neighborhoods extending inland from Raritan Bay. The Historic Waterfront is the city's best-known district, a formally recognized area of colonial architecture and bay views that draws visitors to its promenade and restaurants. Residential neighborhoods fan out from the center, many built on a dense street grid, and reflect the successive ethnic communities that have shaped the city over more than a century. The varied fabric of older homes, churches, and small commercial corners gives each district a distinct character.

Life in Perth Amboy is anchored by its waterfront. The bayfront promenade, marina, and seafood restaurants make the water a daily amenity rather than an occasional destination, and views across to Staten Island are a defining feature. The city's predominantly Hispanic population is reflected in its food, markets, and cultural life, with a lively small-business and restaurant scene centered downtown. Festivals and community events draw on both the city's colonial heritage and its newer traditions. Proximity to New Brunswick, Woodbridge, and New York City extends dining, entertainment, and employment options.

Perth Amboy's public schools are operated by the Perth Amboy Public Schools, which serve the city's students across elementary, middle, and high school levels. The district has deep roots in the community; the city's first public school opened in 1870 and the original building, now the Thomas Mundy Peterson School, remains in use. Peterson, a Perth Amboy resident, is remembered as the first African American to cast a vote after ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment. Charter and private schools provide additional options, and Middlesex County's colleges and universities are within easy reach.

Perth Amboy is well served by both rail and road. NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line stops in the city, providing direct rail service to New York City and points along the Jersey Shore, and local bus routes add coverage. The Outerbridge Crossing connects the city directly to Staten Island, while Routes 440, 9, and 35 and the Garden State Parkway give access to the wider region. Newark Liberty International Airport is roughly a half-hour drive, and the city's position at the head of Raritan Bay places it within reach of both central New Jersey and New York employment centers.

The Raritan Bay waterfront is Perth Amboy's primary recreational asset, with a promenade and marina that support walking, boating, and fishing. The former Perth Amboy Ferry Slip, now a museum, anchors the historic waterfront alongside other preserved landmarks. Public parks and athletic fields are distributed through the city's neighborhoods, and the nearby Raritan Bayshore offers additional waterfront access. The city's dense, walkable street grid and its bayside setting make outdoor recreation an everyday part of life rather than a destination activity.