Ocean Grove's housing stock is among the most distinctive on the Jersey Shore, defined by tightly clustered Victorian homes, many dating to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The community also includes its famous canvas tents, which are leased seasonally by the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association and remain a rare surviving example of 19th-century resort housing. Because the area is a designated historic district, exterior changes to properties generally require review, a policy that preserves the neighborhood's architectural unity. Homes tend to be modest in size and set on small lots, with desirability driven by historic character, proximity to the beach, and the community's singular atmosphere.

Life in Ocean Grove is steeped in history and oriented toward the sea. The community retains the distinctive rhythms of its camp-meeting origins, with a surviving tent colony of canvas summer dwellings surrounding the Great Auditorium and a calendar of religious and cultural programs that continue to this day. Residents enjoy a genuine small-town feel within the larger Jersey Shore region, with the beach as a daily backdrop and the boardwalks, dining, and entertainment of Asbury Park just steps away. The historic preservation ethos gives the community a strong sense of place and continuity, while its seaside setting keeps summers lively and outdoors-focused.

Ocean Grove's compact, walkable layout makes it unusual among Jersey Shore communities, with homes, the beach, and local businesses all within a short stroll. The community sits adjacent to Asbury Park, whose NJ Transit rail station provides direct train service to New York City and points north, making Ocean Grove a practical base for commuters seeking a shore lifestyle. Major road corridors, including Route 35, Route 71, and the Garden State Parkway, connect the area to the broader Monmouth County region and the New York metropolitan area. The proximity of rail, highway, and a walkable core gives residents an uncommon blend of seaside living and regional accessibility.

Recreation in Ocean Grove centers on the beach and the boardwalk that connects it to the rest of the Jersey Shore. Residents swim, sunbathe, and stroll along the oceanfront, while the Great Auditorium hosts concerts, worship services, and cultural events throughout the summer season. The community's tent colony and historic district are themselves a living museum, drawing visitors and preserving a unique resort tradition. Neighboring Asbury Park offers restaurants, music venues, and nightlife, and the broader Monmouth County shoreline provides boating, fishing, and ocean recreation. The walkable, car-optional character of Ocean Grove makes the beach and town amenities unusually accessible.