Kingston's housing reflects its evolution from a small cove settlement into a ferry-served Puget Sound community. The housing stock includes older homes near the waterfront and village center, mid-century and newer single-family residences on wooded lots, and a share of shoreline properties along Appletree Cove and the Sound. Because Kingston is unincorporated, residential patterns are varied rather than shaped by a single municipal plan, mixing compact in-town streets with larger rural parcels on the surrounding hillsides. The community appeals to those seeking waterfront proximity and a small-town setting, often at a remove from the higher-density housing of the Seattle side of the Sound.

Kingston is a compact community organized around its ferry terminal and village core, with residential areas spreading outward into the wooded hillsides and along the shoreline. The area near the ferry dock, Mike Wallace Park, and the Village Green functions as the town center, while quieter streets climb away from the water toward rural residential tracts. Shoreline properties line Appletree Cove and the adjoining Sound. Beyond the immediate village, the broader North Kitsap countryside offers acreage and more secluded homes, with the surrounding communities of the Kitsap Peninsula reachable by State Route 104 and local roads.

Kingston offers a maritime small-town lifestyle shaped by its ferry terminal and waterfront setting. The daily rhythm is tied to the Sound — ferry sailings, harbor activity, and shoreline parks set the tone. The village center around the ferry dock and Village Green provides a community hub, with the library, community center, and local gathering spots anchoring civic life. Residents enjoy a quieter, outdoors-oriented pace than the urban centers across the water, yet the Edmonds ferry keeps Seattle-area jobs and culture within reach. The blend of shoreline access, community institutions, and ferry connectivity gives Kingston a distinctive Puget Sound character.

Kingston is part of the North Kitsap School District, which serves the northern Kitsap Peninsula and includes elementary, middle, and high schools across the region. Within Kingston itself, North Kitsap Options provides a public K-8 school option for local families. The Kingston Library, located within the Village Green Community Center, supplements education with programs and resources for children and adults. Families also have access to preschool programs, community organizations, and youth activities through facilities such as the Boys & Girls Club of North Kitsap, reinforcing the town's family-oriented character and its ties to the broader North Kitsap community.

Kingston's transportation centerpiece is its Washington State Ferries terminal, offering regular sailings across Puget Sound to Edmonds and a direct link to the Seattle metropolitan area. State Route 104 runs through the community, connecting westward toward Poulsbo, the Hood Canal Bridge, and the Olympic Peninsula, and eastward to the ferry dock. The ferry route is part of the state highway system and serves as the primary commuting and travel artery for residents. While the automobile and ferry dominate travel, the compact village center around the terminal and Village Green is walkable for everyday errands.

Recreation in Kingston is anchored by its shoreline and parks. Mike Wallace Park, near the ferry terminal, offers waterfront views, a breakwater for sunset walks, and community gathering space. Heronswood Garden, a renowned botanical garden, is a draw for plant enthusiasts and seasonal blooms. North Kitsap Heritage Park provides forested trails for hiking and nature walks, while Eglon Beach offers shoreline access for beachcombing and winter-wave watching. The Village Green adds community trails and green space in the town center. With Puget Sound, Hood Canal, and the Kitsap Peninsula's trail network nearby, outdoor recreation is woven into daily life.