Cedar Glen's housing stock is dominated by mountain cabins and modest forest homes, many built for seasonal or weekend use, set among cedar and pine stands on the community's winding roads. The area's roughly 590 housing units reflect its history as a resort settlement, with a blend of original cabins, renovated retreats, and a smaller number of year-round single-family homes. Development is low-density and constrained by the surrounding San Bernardino National Forest, which keeps the community's forested, spread-out character intact. Buyers are typically second-home seekers, vacation-rental investors, or those pursuing a full-time mountain lifestyle near Lake Arrowhead.

Cedar Glen has no formal subdivisions; it is a dispersed mountain settlement strung along State Highway 173 and the forest roads that branch toward Lake Arrowhead and the surrounding hills. Cabins and homes sit on wooded parcels, often set well back from the road, giving the community an open, forested feel rather than a conventional neighborhood pattern. The highway forms the community's spine, with small commercial and gathering spots scattered along it, while the cedars and pines provide the visual continuity. This layout means privacy and natural surroundings are the defining features of "neighborhood" life here.

Life in Cedar Glen is quiet, forested, and distinctly mountain-oriented, with a pace that slows with the seasons. Residents live among towering cedars and pines, and daily life centers on the outdoors — hiking, lake recreation at nearby Lake Arrowhead, and the simple rhythms of high-country living. The community has a mix of full-time residents and seasonal cabin owners, lending it a relaxed, come-and-go atmosphere. Ten minutes down the road, Lake Arrowhead Village offers dining, shopping, and lakefront activity, while the surrounding national forest provides near-unlimited trails and scenery. It is a place for those who prefer trees and trails to traffic and crowds.

Cedar Glen is served by the Rim of the World Unified School District, which provides public education for the San Bernardino mountain communities, including Lake Arrowhead and the surrounding area. Students attend the district's elementary, middle, and high schools, located within the mountain region along the State Highway 18 and 173 corridors. The district's small size and mountain setting give it a close-knit, community-oriented character, though families should expect longer travel times between campuses and limited course breadth compared with larger valley districts. Private and specialized options are available in the Inland Empire communities down the mountain.

California State Highway 173 is Cedar Glen's main road, running through the community and connecting it west toward Lake Arrowhead and the mountain highway network. Residents reach the Inland Empire and points beyond via State Highway 18 and the winding mountain routes that descend into San Bernardino, with commutes down the hill affected by weather and seasonal traffic. There is no public transit in the community, so private vehicles are essential, and winter conditions can require chains or four-wheel drive. The town's mountain setting makes transportation one of the main practical considerations for full-time residents and commuters.

Recreation in Cedar Glen is defined by the San Bernardino National Forest and nearby Lake Arrowhead. The surrounding forest offers hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing along miles of trails, while Lake Arrowhead, about ten minutes away, provides boating, fishing, and lakeside recreation for residents with lake access or through the village's amenities. In winter, the area's elevation brings snow and access to nearby sledding and skiing options in the San Bernardino Mountains. The community's forested setting also makes birding, stargazing, and simple outdoor living part of everyday life, with the larger mountain resort amenities a short drive away.