Three Rivers' housing stock is modest and mixed, reflecting its working-town economy. The city has older single-family homes near the center, mid-century houses, and some newer construction, along with a notable share of rental housing tied to the refinery workforce. Lots are small within the city grid and larger on the outskirts. The market serves a practical, workforce-oriented population, with housing concentrated around the town core and along the I-37 corridor.

Life in Three Rivers is small-town and working-class, shaped by ranching, energy, and the rhythm of the refinery. Residents value the close-knit community, local schools, and the easy pace of South Texas living. Choke Canyon provides weekend recreation, while San Antonio and Corpus Christi — each about an hour away on I-37 — supply larger shopping, medical care, and entertainment. Daily life centers on family, church, school sports, and the surrounding brush-country landscape.

Three Rivers Independent School District serves the city and surrounding Live Oak County area with a small, rural system of about 560 students across two campuses. The district provides PreK–12 education close to home, and its compact size keeps the school a central part of community life. As with many small South Texas districts, sports and school events are major local gatherings. Students have access to the full grade sequence without leaving the town.

Three Rivers sits on Interstate 37, the principal highway between San Antonio and Corpus Christi, putting both cities about an hour away. U.S. Highway 281 and State Highway 72 also serve the area, connecting the town to George West, the Live Oak County seat, and to the surrounding ranch country. There is no passenger rail or transit, so travel is by car, and the interstate gives Three Rivers unusually strong regional access for a town of its size.

Choke Canyon Reservoir and State Park, about ten miles west of Three Rivers, are the area's signature recreation destinations, offering fishing, boating, and outstanding birdwatching along the lakeshore. The park's trails and wildlife viewing areas draw nature enthusiasts from across South Texas. The surrounding brush country supports hunting and rural outdoor pursuits, while the nearby rivers provide fishing access. San Antonio and the Gulf Coast beaches are each within about an hour's drive.