Converse's housing stock divides between an established core and newer growth corridors. Mature neighborhoods close to Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph's main gates offer older single-family homes on settled streets, popular with military families and first-time buyers. Around that core, newer subdivisions and new-construction communities have spread along corridors such as FM 1516 and Loop 1604, adding a wave of more recent single-family houses. The city's affordability relative to central San Antonio, combined with no Texas state income tax, makes it a common landing point for VA-loan buyers and young households. The result is a market of starter homes, established residences, and newer builds across northeastern Bexar County.

Converse's neighborhoods fall into two broad patterns. The older, established core near Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph holds the city's original streets and mature homes, tightly connected to the base's main gates and to the FM 78 corridor. Newer residential subdivisions extend along the growth corridors of FM 1516 and Loop 1604, where recent construction has expanded the city's footprint and added master-planned-style communities. Judson ISD campuses anchor neighborhood life throughout. The city also sits within reach of neighboring communities such as Schertz, Cibolo, and Universal City, forming a connected suburban band across northeastern Bexar County and into adjacent Guadalupe County.

Converse offers an affordable, family-oriented suburban lifestyle shaped by its military connection. Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph's presence means many residents are service members, veterans, and civilian contractors, giving neighborhoods a friendly, transient-friendly character and a strong network of community services. The Converse Community Center hosts events, classes, and gatherings that bring residents together, while Converse City Park provides everyday outdoor space. The city's proximity to San Antonio means regional dining, entertainment, and cultural attractions — from the River Walk to the city's missions and museums — sit within a short drive, while daily life stays quieter and more small-town than the urban core.

Converse is served by Judson ISD, a Bexar County district headquartered in the area and rooted in the communities of northeastern San Antonio. The district operates Converse Elementary within the city and Judson High School on FM 78, one of the district's flagship campuses, along with other elementary, middle, and high schools serving the surrounding region. Judson ISD's footprint spans Converse and neighboring communities, tying the city into a larger school network. The district's military-connected student population reflects the area's proximity to Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, and schools serve as neighborhood anchors across the city's established and newer subdivisions.

Converse sits about 15 miles northeast of downtown San Antonio, with several commuter routes. Farm-to-Market 1976 runs west-to-east through the city and provides direct access toward San Antonio, while Loop 1604 forms Bexar County's outer ring and connects Converse to communities such as Schertz and points north. Interstate 10 and Interstate 35 both serve the broader area, though peak-hour congestion is common on the interstates and Loop 1604. VIA Metropolitan Transit's line 21 bus runs between Converse and downtown San Antonio in about 45 minutes, offering a car-free option. The city's location makes San Antonio International Airport and the urban core readily reachable.

Converse's recreation revolves around its parks and community facilities. Converse City Park, on School Street, is the city's main outdoor hub, offering walking and cycling paths, a playground, ball fields, a pond, barbecue pits, and a rentable pavilion and pool. The Converse Community Center at 503 W. Center Street hosts classes, events, and gatherings, serving as an indoor complement to the park. Neighborhood green spaces and school grounds add play areas across the city. For larger-scale recreation, residents head into San Antonio for its extensive park system and attractions, while nearby communities and the Texas Hill Country provide additional options for hiking and outdoor activities.