Springfield's housing stock is largely suburban and mid-20th-century, with a solid base of single-family homes — many colonials, split-levels, and ranches — on tree-lined lots, alongside a meaningful supply of garden apartments and townhomes concentrated near the main corridors. The township is known in Union County as a comparatively accessible option relative to neighboring Short Hills, Millburn, and Summit, drawing buyers who want good schools and a New York commute without the premium of those towns. Neighborhoods range from established single-family blocks to apartment communities and condominium complexes, giving Springfield a broad range of housing choices for its size.

Springfield is organized around a compact downtown and a series of established residential neighborhoods. The downtown area along Morris Avenue and the surrounding streets offers walkable access to shops, cafes, and services and is popular with young professionals, while family-oriented sections near Baltusrol Golf Club feature larger homes with yards close to schools and parks. Garden-apartment and townhouse communities cluster along the main thoroughfares, providing rental and entry-level options. This mix gives Springfield a layered character, blending older, well-tended residential blocks with newer multi-family development without the scale of a large planned suburb.

Springfield offers a quiet, settled suburban lifestyle set apart from the busier train towns around it. Daily life centers on good schools, neighborhood parks, and local shopping along its main roads, with a genuine sense of history running through the community — from the Cannon Ball House to the Revolutionary War-era landmarks that dot the township. Baltusrol Golf Club lends the area a touch of national renown, while residents who aren't golfers value the township for its calm, family-oriented atmosphere and strong schools. Commuters appreciate the short drive to nearby rail stations and major highways, keeping the region accessible without the density of a transit hub.

Springfield is served by the Springfield Public Schools district, a K-12 system whose secondary campus is Jonathan Dayton High School, named for the Springfield-connected signer of the United States Constitution. The district operates elementary and middle schools across the township, and its schools are a primary reason families choose the community. For private and specialized education, families have access to institutions across Union, Essex, and Morris counties, including nearby parochial and independent schools. The township's compact size keeps school commutes short and the district closely integrated with community life.

Springfield is a car-oriented suburb with excellent regional access. Interstates 78 and 287 and the Garden State Parkway pass near the township, connecting residents to Newark, the Jersey Shore, and the wider region, while Route 22 and U.S. 22 provide local east-west travel. Rail commuting is available at nearby stations in Summit, Millburn, and Short Hills on the Morris and Essex Lines, a short drive away, and Newark Liberty International Airport is about 12 miles distant. The combination of highway proximity and nearby rail hubs makes Springfield a practical base for commuters despite not having a station within its own borders.

Springfield's recreation blends local parks with the prestige of Baltusrol Golf Club, whose championship course anchors the township's golfing identity. Municipal parks provide playgrounds, athletic fields, and walking areas for families, and the township's recreation programs serve residents throughout the year. The nearby Watchung Reservation, Union County's largest nature preserve, offers extensive hiking, trails, and outdoor activities within a short drive, and the region's larger cultural and entertainment assets — from downtown Summit to the performing arts and sports venues of Newark and New York — are all within easy reach.