Fair Haven's housing stock is predominantly single-family and residential, reflecting its evolution from a river-working settlement into an established borough. The community includes a mix of older homes near the Navesink River, many of them substantial colonials and period residences, along with well-kept mid-century and newer construction on tree-lined streets. The borough's compact size and high demand for its schools give the housing market a stable, sought-after character, with riverfront and water-access properties holding particular appeal within the broader Rumson peninsula area.

Fair Haven is a compact, largely residential borough whose streets run between the Navesink River and the neighboring boroughs of Rumson and Red Bank. Homes are organized around a small downtown and the two school campuses, with riverfront streets and private docks along the water's edge. The borough's size makes it highly walkable, and its neighborhoods are unified by proximity to the river, the schools, and the amenities of nearby Red Bank and Little Silver. This cohesive, small-scale layout distinguishes Fair Haven from larger suburban municipalities in Monmouth County.

Fair Haven's lifestyle is centered on its schools, its river, and its small-town feel. The Navesink River frames daily life, with boating, sailing, kayaking, and paddleboarding available from local docks and marinas, and many residents keep boats close at hand. Community activity revolves around the schools, youth sports, and civic events, while the borough's compact, walkable streets encourage neighborly connection. Adjacent Red Bank supplies restaurants, shops, and cultural venues within minutes, and the Jersey Shore beaches lie a short drive away. The result is a family-oriented, water-centered community with the convenience of the greater Two River area.

Fair Haven is served by the Fair Haven Public Schools, a small K-8 district with two schools: Sickles School for kindergarten through third grade and Knollwood School for fourth through eighth grade. High school students attend Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, located in neighboring Rumson, which serves Fair Haven and Rumson students in grades nine through twelve. This close-knit school structure is a defining feature of the borough and a principal attraction for families, with the regional high school consistently regarded as a strong public option in Monmouth County.

Fair Haven's commuting story is tied to its neighbors. The NJ Transit North Jersey Coast Line stops in Red Bank, just to the west, offering direct rail service into New York Penn Station in roughly an hour to an hour and a quarter. The Seastreak ferry from the nearby Highlands provides a faster water commute into lower Manhattan. By car, the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Route 35 connect the borough to the wider region. This layered network makes Fair Haven a practical residential base for New York commuters while keeping the borough itself quiet and low-traffic.

The Navesink River is the heart of recreation in Fair Haven, supporting boating, sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing from the borough's docks, marinas, and riverfront streets. The river's protected waters connect to Sandy Hook Bay and the Atlantic, giving boaters a direct route to the Shore. Beyond the river, residents are minutes from the beaches of the Jersey Shore and from the parks, golf, and trails of Monmouth County. Neighboring Red Bank adds a lively downtown of restaurants, theaters, and shops, making Fair Haven a convenient base for both waterfront and cultural recreation.