Sunrise's housing stock reflects its planned, mid-century origins and its position as an established Broward County suburb. Single-family homes, many in ranch and contemporary styles, fill well-kept neighborhoods built across several decades, while garden-style apartment communities, condominiums, and townhomes provide a substantial multi-family segment. Active-adult communities are a notable part of the local market, reflecting Sunrise's long appeal to retirees and seasonal residents. The city's central-western location and its retail and entertainment anchors support a steady residential base, with housing that tends to be more moderately scaled and densely arranged than in Broward's eastern coastal cities. This mix of single-family neighborhoods, multi-family communities, and active-adult housing gives Sunrise a practical, well-connected residential character.

Sunrise is organized into a network of residential communities and commercial districts. The Sawgrass area, in the western part of the city, is anchored by Sawgrass Mills and the Amerant Bank Arena and surrounded by residential neighborhoods and the Sawgrass Corporate Park. The central and eastern portions of the city contain established single-family subdivisions and garden apartment communities built during the city's mid-century expansion, many organized around lakes and green space. The Sunrise Civic Center area anchors the city's municipal and cultural life, while the Flamingo Linear Park corridor offers trail access through residential neighborhoods. This blend of retail-centered west side, established suburban neighborhoods, and municipal core gives Sunrise a varied, practical urban-suburban layout.

Sunrise offers a convenient, amenity-rich suburban lifestyle within the Miami-Fort Lauderdale region. The presence of Sawgrass Mills and the Amerant Bank Arena brings shopping, dining, professional sports, and major entertainment directly into the community, giving residents access to a level of retail and events unusual for a city of its size. The Sunrise Civic Center anchors local culture with theater, art, and aquatics, while the city's parks and lakes support everyday recreation. Sunrise's central location and highway access put Fort Lauderdale's beaches, downtown dining, and employment within a short drive. The community attracts a mix of families, working professionals, and retirees drawn to its connectivity, its amenities, and its well-established neighborhoods.

Sunrise is served by Broward County Public Schools, the sixth-largest school district in the United States, which operates schools across the county and within the city. Students attend assigned elementary, middle, and high schools, with the district offering magnet, choice, and career programs available countywide. Because Broward's district is large and attendance boundaries follow specific addresses, families relocating to Sunrise typically verify the schools assigned to a particular home. Private, charter, and specialized options are also available throughout the area. The city's parks and recreation programs complement the school system with youth activities, aquatics, and after-school offerings.

Sunrise is among the most accessible cities in Broward County. It is bordered by I-595, I-75, and the Sawgrass Expressway, with the Florida Turnpike nearby, providing direct connections to every major highway in South Florida and links to three international airports and three seaports. Downtown Fort Lauderdale is about 13 miles east, reachable via I-595, and Broward County Transit operates local bus service through the city. This highway network makes Sunrise a practical base for commuters across the region, from Fort Lauderdale's urban core to employment centers in western Broward and northern Miami-Dade. For most residents, personal vehicles are the primary means of travel, with the city's central position minimizing commute distances across the metro.

Sunrise's recreation is anchored by its major venues and its municipal facilities. The Amerant Bank Arena brings NHL hockey and major concerts to the city, while Sawgrass Mills and its surrounding entertainment district provide shopping, dining, and leisure options. The Sunrise Civic Center houses a theater, art gallery, and aquatics complex, and the city's park system includes sports fields, playgrounds, and lakefront green space, with the Flamingo Linear Park offering a trail corridor for walking, running, and cycling. Community recreation programs, youth sports, and seasonal events run throughout the year. With the beaches and cultural amenities of Fort Lauderdale and the wider South Florida region a short drive away, Sunrise offers a full slate of both local and regional recreation.