New Smyrna Beach's housing stock reflects its coastal setting and long history. Beachside areas feature low-rise oceanfront and riverfront condominiums, mid-century homes on stilts, and older Florida cottages, while the mainland offers a broader mix of established single-family neighborhoods. Historic districts and Spanish Revival homes, such as those in Sugar Mill, add architectural variety. Master-planned communities like Venetian Bay bring newer construction and resort-style amenities, including a championship golf course, while areas like Glencoe offer housing that ranges from manufactured homes to luxury estates. The result is a market spanning modest beach bungalows, golf-course homes, and waterfront condos, appealing to retirees, second-home buyers, and full-time residents drawn to the coast.

New Smyrna Beach's neighborhoods divide between the barrier island and the mainland. Beachside, oceanfront condominiums and single-family homes line the Atlantic, with the Coronado Beach area offering easy beach access. On the mainland, the historic downtown district provides a walkable commercial core with older homes and river views. Venetian Bay is among the city's most prominent master-planned communities, built around a championship golf course with newer construction and community amenities. Sugar Mill is known for its Spanish Revival architecture and golf setting, while Glencoe offers a diverse housing mix near parks, tennis courts, and a disc golf course. Additional subdivisions such as Coastal Woods, Arbor Lakes, and Sabal Lakes add newer single-family options across the city.

New Smyrna Beach's lifestyle is defined by its surf culture and Old Florida character. The city blends a wide, uncrowded beach with beachfront bars, ice cream parlors, and art galleries, creating a relaxed mix of surfers, families, and retirees. The historic downtown, on the mainland side of the Indian River, offers restaurants, shops, and a low-key coastal atmosphere. Daily life centers on the beach and the water, from morning surf sessions to evening strolls along Flagler-adjacent streets and riverfront parks. The city's low-rise skyline and homes on stilts preserve a laid-back, mid-century Florida feel. Proximity to Canaveral National Seashore adds a vast, undeveloped stretch of coastline for those seeking quiet natural settings, making New Smyrna Beach a place where beach-town energy and unspoiled nature coexist.

New Smyrna Beach is served by Volusia County Schools, a large public district covering east-central Florida. New Smyrna Beach High School and New Smyrna Beach Middle School are the primary local campuses, offering a range of academic, athletic, and extracurricular programs, and the high school's athletics are a strong source of community pride. Elementary schools serve the mainland and beachside areas, and the district provides school choice and magnet options across Volusia County. Private schools are also available in the area. For families, the district's size offers breadth in programs and resources, while New Smyrna Beach's own schools keep education close to home. Higher education options are available in nearby Daytona Beach, including Daytona State College and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

New Smyrna Beach is served by Interstate 95 and U.S. 1, which run north-south through the city and connect it to Daytona Beach to the north and the Space Coast to the south. State Road 44 provides the main east-west route, linking the mainland with the beach and extending west toward the Orlando area. The Coronado Beach Bridge carries traffic across the Intracoastal Waterway to the barrier island. The city sits roughly 15 miles south of Daytona Beach and about 50 miles northeast of Orlando, giving residents access to Daytona Beach International Airport and Orlando's larger air and employment hubs. Within the city, the mainland and beachside are connected by a handful of bridges, and the compact downtown and beach districts are walkable and bike-friendly.

New Smyrna Beach's recreation is anchored by its oceanfront and natural areas. Surfing, swimming, and beach walking define the 13-mile shoreline, while Canaveral National Seashore, directly south, preserves an undeveloped stretch of coastline with trails, dunes, and abundant wildlife. Smyrna Dunes Park, a 184-acre oceanfront park, offers dog-friendly trails, boardwalks, fishing piers, pavilions, and views of the Ponce de Leon Lighthouse. On the water, the Indian River Lagoon and Ponce de Leon Inlet support boating, fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding, with marinas and ramps throughout the area. The city's parks, tennis courts, and disc golf courses add land-based options, and nearby Daytona Beach and Orlando extend the range of attractions. New Smyrna Beach's combination of a lively surf beach and preserved national seashore gives residents unmatched variety in coastal recreation.