Flemington's housing stock is shaped by its nineteenth-century origins and its compact, one-square-mile footprint. The borough holds a significant collection of Victorian homes, many within walking distance of Main Street, alongside early-twentieth-century houses and a smaller number of newer infill properties. Lots are typically modest and the street grid is walkable, a contrast to the larger-lot subdivisions of neighboring Raritan Township. The historic character of the housing is central to the borough's identity, and many buyers are drawn specifically to the period architecture and downtown proximity. The result is a market built around older, well-kept homes rather than large-scale new construction.

Flemington is small enough that its character is defined by its historic core rather than by separate named neighborhoods. The downtown district clusters around Main Street and the courthouse, with Victorian homes on the surrounding blocks and the Raritan River running through the borough. The Shoppes at Flemington occupy the retail edge of town along the main highways. Just outside the borough, Raritan Township offers the larger-lot suburban and rural residential areas that many Flemington-area families call home, while the borough itself remains the walkable historic center of the wider community.

Life in Flemington blends the feel of a historic small town with the activity of a county seat. Main Street's Victorian storefronts house independent retailers, cafes, and restaurants, while the Shoppes at Flemington draw regional shoppers for outlet retail. The courthouse and county offices keep the town busy through the workweek, and community events, seasonal markets, and the downtown's historic architecture give it a strong local identity. The surrounding Hunterdon countryside provides a backdrop of farms, preserves, and open space that shapes the area's unhurried pace. Residents enjoy walkable amenities in town and easy access to the region's rural recreation and commuter routes.

Flemington's students are served by the Flemington-Raritan Regional School District for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade and the Hunterdon Central Regional High School District for grades nine through twelve. Hunterdon Central Regional High School, located in the Flemington area, draws students from five municipalities in east-central Hunterdon County, including Flemington, Raritan Township, East Amwell, Delaware, and Readington Townships. The districts are well-established regional systems typical of Hunterdon County's shared-services approach, and their central location makes Flemington a natural hub for school activity across the area.

Flemington sits at the junction of U.S. Route 202 and New Jersey Route 31, with Interstate 78 and Interstate 287 both reachable within a short drive, placing the borough within commuting distance of the wider northern New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania region. The Flemington Circle, where Routes 202 and 31 meet, is a familiar local landmark. Trans-Bridge Lines provides commuter bus service from the Flemington area to Newark and New York City, offering a transit option for Manhattan-bound commuters. Within the borough, the compact street grid makes walking practical, while most regional trips rely on the surrounding highway network.

Flemington's recreation is tied to its setting along the South Branch of the Raritan River and its place within rural Hunterdon County. The river and the borough's parks offer walking and green space close to downtown, while the Hunterdon Plateau and the surrounding farmland, preserves, and trail networks provide hiking, cycling, and outdoor pursuits just beyond the town. The county's agricultural fairs and seasonal events draw residents throughout the year, and the borough's historic streets themselves serve as a backdrop for walking tours and community gatherings. The broader Hunterdon countryside keeps larger public open spaces and recreation areas within easy reach.