As a newer master-planned city, Westlake's housing consists almost entirely of recent construction — single-family homes and townhomes built in a series of residential villages by Minto Communities and other builders. Homes feature contemporary Florida designs, energy-efficient construction, and community amenities such as the Adventure Park. The city's planned, mixed-use approach means residential neighborhoods are laid out around the central downtown and open spaces, giving the housing stock a cohesive, modern character distinct from the area's older rural and equestrian properties.

Westlake is organized into residential villages rather than the older, organic neighborhoods of established towns. Skycove and Skycove South are among the communities within the city, each built around the central amenities and the planned downtown. The master plan centers on a mixed-use core intended to serve as the "new downtown" for central Palm Beach County, with residential areas, shops, and civic spaces arranged around it. Surrounding Loxahatchee and The Acreage retain a more rural, large-lot character by contrast.

Westlake's lifestyle is built around its master-planned, resort-style amenities and its vision as a walkable new downtown for central Palm Beach County. The Westlake Adventure Park anchors community life with its pools and recreational facilities, while the city's layout emphasizes parks, trails, and gathering spaces rather than conventional strip development. As a newer community, Westlake attracts families and professionals seeking new construction and a planned, amenity-rich environment, with the region's shopping, employment, and coastal destinations within reach along the Seminole Pratt Whitney Road corridor.

Westlake is served by the School District of Palm Beach County, which operates public schools for the entire county. Students attend district elementary, middle, and high schools serving the western Palm Beach County area. As the city continues to build out, its student population is served within the county's broader western schools, with additional private and charter options available across Palm Beach County.

Westlake sits along Seminole Pratt Whitney Road, the main north-south corridor through western Palm Beach County, which connects the city to Northlake Boulevard and other regional routes. The Florida's Turnpike and Interstate 95 are reached to the east, providing access to West Palm Beach, the county's coastal employment centers, and points south toward Broward and Miami-Dade counties. The city's inland location makes commuting to the coast a regular part of daily travel for many residents.

The Westlake Adventure Park is the centerpiece of the city's recreation, offering resort-style pools, a water slide, and family-oriented amenities for residents of the city's villages. The master plan incorporates parks, trails, and open spaces throughout the community, supporting walking, cycling, and outdoor gathering. Beyond the city, the natural areas of western Palm Beach County — including the preserves and equestrian lands around Loxahatchee and The Acreage — and the Atlantic beaches to the east extend the region's outdoor options.