Martindale's housing is a mix of older small-town homes and surrounding rural acreage. The original townsite holds historic houses and modest mid-century homes on tree-lined streets, while the edges of town give way to larger lots, farmhouses, and manufactured homes. Riverfront and river-access properties along the San Marcos River are especially valued for their water access and views. The market is low-key and driven by resale, with newer construction appearing gradually as Austin-area growth reaches outward.

Martindale is compact enough to read as a single small town, but distinct pockets emerge. The historic core near the original townsite holds the oldest homes and the town's civic buildings, while residential streets spread toward the river and the surrounding countryside. Riverfront areas are the most distinctive, blending homes, tube outfitters, and river access. Beyond the city limits, rural roads lead through farmland and ranch land, offering acreage for those who want more space.

Martindale's lifestyle centers on the San Marcos River and small-town ease. Floating, swimming, and fishing on the river are everyday warm-weather pastimes, and the local tube outfitters give the town a relaxed, recreational energy on summer weekends. The pace is unhurried, with residents relying on nearby San Marcos for shopping, dining, and entertainment, and on Austin and San Antonio for larger needs. Historic character, river access, and a close-knit community define the day-to-day.

Students in Martindale are served by the Lockhart Independent School District, the public school district for much of Caldwell County, with campuses located in nearby Lockhart. The district is a community school system serving a rural-to-suburban area south of Austin. Families travel the short distance to Lockhart for school, athletics, and activities, while the town itself retains its small community feel.

Martindale sits close to the Interstate 35 corridor, with San Marcos and its university, shopping, and medical services about five miles west. Austin lies roughly 35 miles to the north and San Antonio is within a comparable drive to the south, making the town a viable base for commuters to either metro. State and county roads connect Martindale to Lockhart, Luling, and the surrounding countryside. Daily life is car-dependent, as across most of Central Texas.

The San Marcos River is Martindale's recreation centerpiece. Popular tube outfitters such as Don's Fish Camp and Texas State Tubes run float trips through the Martindale stretch, and the clear, spring-fed water supports swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing. The river's steady flow and cool temperature make it a regional draw on warm weekends. Nearby San Marcos adds parks, trails, and headwaters recreation around Spring Lake and the San Marcos River Walk.