Covina's housing stock is dominated by mid-century single-family homes, the legacy of the post-World War II building boom that converted the area's citrus groves into residential neighborhoods. Ranch-style and traditional tract homes on established lots make up much of the city, with mature trees and tree-lined streets throughout. Older homes and some early-20th-century properties cluster nearer the historic downtown, while later subdivisions fill the city's eastern and hillside edges. The housing is predominantly owner-occupied and family-oriented, giving Covina the feel of a long-settled Los Angeles suburb rather than a new development community.

Covina's neighborhoods radiate from the historic downtown along Citrus Avenue, where early-1900s buildings and the city's civic core sit alongside older, established residential streets. Around that center lie the mid-century tract neighborhoods built during the post-war boom, with grid-pattern streets and single-family homes. The Charter Oak area, in the southern part of the city, is a distinct community served by its own school district. Toward the north, neighborhoods rise toward the San Gabriel Mountains foothills, offering hillside streets and views. This layering of an older core, broad mid-century tracts, and foothill edges gives Covina a varied but cohesive suburban landscape.

Life in Covina centers on its historic downtown, where Citrus Avenue hosts a walkable mix of independent shops, restaurants, coffeehouses, and entertainment venues within a few blocks. The city's suburban neighborhoods are family-oriented, with strong local schools and community programs. The San Gabriel Mountains rise just to the north, putting hiking and Angeles National Forest recreation within easy reach, and the foothill cities of the San Gabriel Valley offer additional dining and shopping. Metrolink service from the downtown station connects residents to Los Angeles and San Bernardino, supporting a commuter-oriented but community-centered lifestyle.

Covina is served by two public school districts. Covina-Valley Unified School District operates 18 schools and enrolls roughly 11,000 students, serving much of Covina and neighboring West Covina. Charter Oak Unified School District serves portions of Covina along with parts of Glendora and San Dimas, enrolling about 4,500 students across 11 schools. Both districts provide preschool-through-12th-grade education, and the city also has private school options. Because the two districts split the city, families should confirm which district and school boundaries apply to a specific address before moving.

Covina sits between two major east–west freeways—Interstate 10 to the south and Interstate 210 to the north—placing much of the Los Angeles and Inland Empire job markets within commuting range. The city is also served by Metrolink's San Bernardino Line, with a station on Citrus Avenue in downtown Covina providing commuter rail connections to downtown Los Angeles and San Bernardino. Local and regional bus service supplements the rail network. Downtown Los Angeles lies roughly 20 miles to the west, and the city's freeway and rail access make it a practical choice for commuters across the eastern San Gabriel Valley.

Covina's recreation centers on its parks and proximity to the San Gabriel Mountains. The city maintains a network of neighborhood parks with sports fields, playgrounds, and community facilities, and its downtown district offers an easy walkable outing of shops and restaurants. The Angeles National Forest and the trails of the San Gabriel Mountains lie just north of the city, providing hiking and outdoor recreation within a short drive. Regional attractions of the San Gabriel Valley and the greater Los Angeles area—from museums and shopping to the coast—are reachable via the surrounding freeway network.