West Hills is dominated by single-family homes built largely during the Valley's postwar and late-twentieth-century expansion, with ranch and contemporary styles on standard suburban lots. The western foothills near Valley Circle Boulevard contain larger, more estate-like properties with hillside and canyon settings, while the flatter eastern sections hold more traditional tract homes. There are also a handful of newer gated communities. The housing stock is established and low-density, oriented toward families and long-term owners.

West Hills climbs from the flat Valley floor near Victory Boulevard into the foothills of the Simi Hills along Valley Circle Boulevard. The eastern side blends into Canoga Park's street grid, while the western and southwestern edges become more rolling and canyon-adjacent, bordering the Bell Canyon community in Ventura County. Woodland Hills lies to the south and Chatsworth to the north. The neighborhood's subdivisions are largely residential, with pockets of larger hillside homes near the open-space boundary.

West Hills offers a calm, family-oriented suburban lifestyle. Its neighborhoods are largely single-family and tree-lined, with shopping concentrated along Victory Boulevard, Fallbrook Avenue, and the nearby Westfield Topanga area. The pace is quieter than the central Valley, with many long-time residents and a community feel built around schools and parks. Its position at the Valley's western edge means open space and trails are minutes away, while the commercial corridors of Woodland Hills and Canoga Park remain close.

West Hills is served by the Los Angeles Unified School District. El Camino Real Charter High School, founded in 1969 on Valley Circle Boulevard, serves portions of West Hills and Woodland Hills and operates as an independent charter with a college-like campus. The neighborhood also has several LAUSD elementary schools, and families have access to a range of private and charter options across the western Valley.

The 101 Freeway (Ventura Freeway) runs along West Hills' northern boundary, providing the primary route across the Valley and toward downtown Los Angeles, roughly 30 minutes away outside peak traffic. Victory Boulevard, Valley Circle Boulevard, and Fallbrook Avenue are the main surface corridors. The Metro Orange Line busway stops at nearby Canoga and De Soto stations, offering a dedicated transit link to the rest of the Valley.

The Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve is West Hills' outdoor centerpiece, with trailheads off Victory Boulevard opening onto a network of hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian paths across the former Ahmanson Ranch. Bell Creek and its surrounding open areas provide green corridors for walking and wildlife. The neighborhood also has local parks, sports fields, and playgrounds, and sits near the larger recreational offerings of the Santa Monica Mountains and nearby Chatsworth.