Riverview's housing stock is dominated by newer single-family subdivisions built during the area's rapid expansion, along with a growing number of gated and master-planned communities. Neighborhoods range from modest starter homes to larger executive-style houses, with many developments offering community pools, playgrounds, and clubhouses. Townhomes and apartments have also multiplied along major corridors. Because much of the housing is relatively recent construction, the market skews toward contemporary floor plans and suburban lot sizes, though some older homes survive near the original river settlement. The area's growth has kept supply relatively fresh and varied across price points.

Riverview is a collection of subdivisions rather than a single defined town center. Boyette, a former farming community that merged with Riverview, retains a semi-rural feel in places, while Bloomingdale Hills offers moderately priced homes with low HOA fees and nearby schools. Winthrop and other newer master-planned communities add village-style amenities, and communities such as Riverview Estates provide established, affordable single-family housing. Gated developments like Providence Reserve and Paddock Manor add energy-efficient new construction. Together these neighborhoods give Riverview a varied suburban landscape built around the Alafia River and the U.S. 301 corridor.

Riverview offers a family-oriented suburban lifestyle with strong ties to the Tampa Bay region. Residents rely on the commercial corridors along U.S. 301 and Bloomingdale Avenue for shopping, dining, and services, while community amenities such as pools, playgrounds, and clubhouses anchor daily life in many subdivisions. The Alafia River supports an active outdoor culture of kayaking, fishing, and boating, and nearby parks and nature preserves provide trail systems. Downtown Tampa, Ybor City, and Gulf Coast beaches are a short drive away, giving residents urban dining, nightlife, and waterfront recreation without living in the city itself.

Riverview's public schools are part of Hillsborough County Public Schools, one of Florida's largest districts. The community is served by a network of elementary, middle, and high schools, including Riverview High School, Spoto High School, Bloomingdale High School, and a number of elementary campuses. Families drawn by newer subdivisions have supported continued school construction in the area, and several private and charter options operate nearby. The district's scale means students have access to a broad range of academic, athletic, and magnet programs serving the wider Tampa Bay area.

Riverview sits along the I-75 corridor southeast of Tampa, with U.S. 301 running north-south through the community and connecting to Brandon and downtown Tampa. The location puts downtown Tampa roughly 12 miles away, and MacDill Air Force Base, Ybor City, and South Tampa employment centers are within a practical daily commute. Tampa International Airport lies across the bay within driving distance, while the Crosstown Expressway and I-4 offer additional routes across the region. Public transit service connects Riverview to the wider Hillsborough County network, though most residents rely on cars for daily travel.

The Alafia River is the center of outdoor life in Riverview, offering kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and waterfront parks along its banks. The community's parks and conservation areas provide playgrounds, sports fields, and walking trails, and many subdivisions include their own pools and green space. The Alafia River State Park, a short drive to the southeast, is a regional destination for mountain biking and hiking on reclaimed mining land. Gulf Coast beaches, Tampa's professional sports venues, and the attractions of the wider Tampa Bay area all lie within easy reach for weekend recreation.