Brick's housing stock spans several eras of Jersey Shore development, from early twentieth-century bungalows and mid-century ranch homes to newer subdivisions and townhouse communities. Waterfront homes line the township's rivers, lagoons, and bayfront, appealing to boaters and those seeking direct water access, while inland neighborhoods offer larger, more conventional suburban lots. The township includes a significant share of single-family homes alongside condominiums and age-restricted communities. The overall character is established and suburban, with the water shaping both the layout and the desirability of many of its neighborhoods.

Brick's neighborhoods are shaped by the township's waterways. Bayfront and lagoon communities along Barnegat Bay and the Metedeconk River offer waterfront lots, docks, and boating access, while inland sections feature established single-family neighborhoods and newer developments. Herbertsville, in the township's north, is among its older districts and retains a distinct community identity. Commercial corridors along Route 70 and Route 88, plus the Garden State Parkway, anchor shopping and services. The result is a township of varied enclaves, some water-oriented and some traditional suburban, tied together by schools, parks, and the shared character of the Jersey Shore.

Life in Brick revolves around the water and the Jersey Shore. Boating, fishing, crabbing, and kayaking are part of daily recreation for many residents, with marinas and boat ramps scattered along the township's waterways. Ocean beaches and boardwalks in neighboring towns provide summer destinations minutes away. The township's parks, sports leagues, and community events anchor family life, while shopping and dining cluster along Route 70 and Route 88. Residents enjoy the Shore's relaxed seasonal rhythm, busy in summer and quieter in the off-season, with the Garden State Parkway keeping New York and Philadelphia within reach.

Brick is served by Brick Township Public Schools, a district with roots dating to the 1850s and the opening of the Herbertsville one-room schoolhouse. The district operates elementary, middle, and high schools across the township, including Brick Township High School. Schools are a central part of community life, with attendance zones tied to neighborhood. Private and parochial options, including schools in the Herbertsville area, supplement the public system, and the township's proximity to Ocean County's larger educational institutions adds further options.

Brick's transportation network centers on the Garden State Parkway, which runs through the township and provides direct access north to the New York metropolitan area and south toward Atlantic City. Route 70 and Route 88 serve as the township's principal east-west commercial corridors, connecting residential neighborhoods to shopping and the nearby beaches. Commuters to northern New Jersey and New York generally travel by car or bus, with park-and-ride and transit options available in the region. Most daily travel within the township is car-based, reflecting Brick's spread-out, established suburban layout.

Recreation in Brick is defined by its waterways and parks. Barnegat Bay, the Metedeconk River, and the township's lagoons offer boating, fishing, crabbing, and kayaking, with marinas and boat launches serving residents. Windward Beach Park and other township parks provide bayfront picnicking, playgrounds, and sports fields. Ocean beaches, boardwalks, and amusement attractions in nearby Point Pleasant and Seaside Heights are minutes away. The township's recreation programs, sports leagues, and seasonal events keep the community active year-round, making Brick a true four-season Jersey Shore community.