Redondo Beach's housing stock reflects its evolution from a beach resort to a dense coastal suburb. South Redondo mixes beach cottages, Spanish-style homes, and newer coastal construction, while inland North Redondo offers more single-family tract homes on larger lots, including the Golden Hills and TRW Tract areas. Townhomes and small apartment buildings line major corridors, and condominiums cluster near the harbor and pier. Supply is constrained by the city's built-out footprint and coastal geography, and demand is sustained by the schools and the beach proximity, making it a competitive market.

Redondo Beach is generally divided into North and South Redondo. North Redondo, inland of the beach, contains neighborhoods such as Villas North, Villas South, El Nido, and Golden Hills (also called the TRW Tract), known for larger lots and family-oriented streets. South Redondo runs closer to the coast and includes The Avenues, a grid of streets descending toward the Esplanade, and Riviera Village, a walkable shopping and dining district near the Torrance border. The Hollywood Riviera area straddles the city's edge, while the waterfront districts center on the pier and King Harbor.

Redondo Beach life is active, outdoorsy, and beach-centric. Residents run and cycle The Strand, surf the local breaks, and play beach volleyball year-round, while the harbor supports boating, kayaking, and sportfishing. The pier and Riviera Village supply casual dining, breweries, and shops, and the city's parks and recreation programs are extensive. The coastal climate — moderated by the marine layer — supports an indoor-outdoor lifestyle. The culture balances laid-back surf-town roots with the polish of a desirable Los Angeles suburb, and community events, farmers' markets, and youth sports anchor the social calendar.

Redondo Beach is served by the Redondo Beach Unified School District, a single-city district of roughly 10,000 students headquartered in town. The district operates Redondo Union High School, along with middle and elementary campuses across the city's neighborhoods, and is a central factor in the city's family appeal. School attendance boundaries generally align with the North and South Redondo divide. Private and parochial schools in the South Bay, along with El Camino College and nearby universities, round out the educational landscape for residents.

Redondo Beach sits near the junction of Pacific Coast Highway, the 405 Freeway, and the 105 Freeway, placing much of the Los Angeles basin within reach. Los Angeles International Airport is typically 25 to 40 minutes away, and downtown Los Angeles is roughly 30 to 60 minutes depending on traffic. The Metro K Line's Redondo Beach station sits just outside the city, and Beach Cities Transit and LA Metro provide local bus service, though there is no rail station within the city center. The Strand and the city's bike lanes make cycling a practical option for local trips.

Recreation is the heart of Redondo Beach. The Redondo Beach Pier and King Harbor offer fishing, whale-watching, kayaking, paddleboarding, and waterfront dining, while the wide sandy beach hosts volleyball, surfing, and sunbathing. The Strand bike path runs the length of the Esplanade, connecting to Hermosa and Manhattan beaches, and Seaside Lagoon provides a protected saltwater swimming area. Veterans Park, Dominguez Park, and the city's neighborhood parks add sports fields and green space. Palos Verdes's trails and coastal bluffs lie just to the south.