Redlands' housing stock is among the most historically rich in the Inland Empire. The city is known for its Victorian and early-twentieth-century homes, many concentrated in the nationally and city-designated historic districts around downtown and South Redlands, with broad porches, deep lots, and mature street trees. Around this core, mid-century ranches and later subdivisions add more conventional single-family stock, while newer master-planned communities fill the city's edges. The University of Redlands area holds larger, established homes, and the historic districts—two nationally designated and eight city-designated—attract buyers seeking character and preservation. The market blends renovation-minded historic buyers with families drawn to the city's schools and proximity to the mountains.

Redlands' neighborhoods are anchored by a walkable, historic downtown centered on State Street, with early-twentieth-century commercial architecture, restaurants, shops, and community events. South Redlands is known for larger homes, established tree-lined streets, and proximity to the University of Redlands campus. The Historic Redlands neighborhood sits between South Redlands and the university, dense with Victorian-era houses and part of the city's designated historic districts. North Redlands and the areas along the I-10 corridor include newer subdivisions and more suburban-scale development, while the eastern edge approaches the university and the Arrow rail terminus. The city's two nationally designated and eight city-designated historic districts preserve roughly 700 landmark buildings and structures.

Redlands' lifestyle is shaped by its historic downtown, its university, and its mountain backdrop. State Street anchors daily life with dining, coffee shops, boutiques, and a Thursday farmers market, while the Redlands Bowl's free summer concert series draws residents to Smiley Park on warm evenings. The University of Redlands adds lectures, performances, and a college-town energy. The city's citrus-era estates—Kimberly Crest House and Gardens and Prospect Park—provide green space and cultural landmarks, and the San Bernardino Mountains offer hiking and skiing nearby. Redlands attracts a mix of professionals, educators, and families who value its walkable core, historic architecture, and a civic calendar that keeps the community engaged.

Redlands is served by the Redlands Unified School District, founded in 1905 and encompassing about 147 square miles. The district serves the city of Redlands as well as Loma Linda, Mentone, Forest Falls, and portions of San Bernardino and Highland. Redlands High School traces its roots to 1892 and operates from a historic campus on Citrus Avenue. Because the district covers a wide and varied geography, families should verify school assignments by address, as neighborhoods in different parts of the district feed different schools. The presence of the University of Redlands adds higher-education and cultural resources to the community.

Redlands sits along Interstate 10, the Inland Empire's primary east-west freeway, placing San Bernardino, Riverside, and the broader region within easy reach, with the mountains rising immediately to the north. The Metrolink Arrow rail service, which opened in 2022, runs between San Bernardino and a terminus near the University of Redlands campus, connecting riders to Metrolink's San Bernardino Line and onward to Los Angeles Union Station. Local bus service and the city's walkable downtown provide alternatives for shorter trips. The combination of freeway access, a dedicated rail line, and a compact historic core makes Redlands one of the more connected cities in the eastern Inland Empire.

Redlands' recreation blends civic culture with the outdoors. The Redlands Bowl in Smiley Park hosts free summer concerts in one of the region's most beloved traditions, while Prospect Park, a citrus-era estate, offers gardens, trails, and an outdoor theater. The Kimberly Crest House and Gardens preserves a Victorian mansion and formal grounds open to the public. The city's parks and sports fields support youth and adult leagues, and the San Bernardino Mountains—reachable within minutes—add hiking, camping, and skiing at destinations such as the San Bernardino National Forest. The San Bernardino County Museum, located in Redlands, anchors regional history and natural-science programming.