Smiley's housing stock is modest and predominantly older, reflecting its late-nineteenth and early-twentieth-century growth. The compact town features wood-frame cottages and early ranch-style homes on town lots, with larger farmhouses and acreage surrounding the city limits. Prices are relatively low by Texas standards, and much of the inventory is owner-occupied. The area's ranchland and improved pasture appeal to buyers seeking a small homestead or weekend property within reach of San Antonio and the Eagle Ford region.

Daily life in Smiley is unhurried and rooted in agriculture, with a strong sense of community built around churches, the school district, and local gatherings. Residents travel to Nixon, Gonzales, or Seguin for larger shopping and services, while the city itself offers the essentials of small-town living. Many households are connected to farming, ranching, or the region's oilfield work, and the population skews toward longtime families and retirees who value space, quiet, and familiarity.

Public school students in Smiley attend the Nixon-Smiley Consolidated Independent School District, a consolidated rural district serving Smiley and the neighboring community of Nixon. The district operates elementary, middle, and high school campuses in the area, and school activities are a central part of community life. As a small consolidated system, the district draws students from across western Gonzales County, and families should confirm campus assignments based on their address.

Smiley is connected to the region by farm-to-market roads that link it to Nixon, Gonzales, and the larger highway network of South Texas. San Antonio is roughly an hour to the northwest, reached via Seguin, and the Eagle Ford region lies to the south. There is no public transit, and commuting is entirely by car, with many residents traveling to nearby towns or to the San Antonio area for work. The area's quiet roads also serve the surrounding agricultural traffic.

Recreation in and around Smiley is tied to the outdoors and the region's history. Smiley Lake and area stock tanks offer fishing, while the surrounding ranchland supports hunting and wildlife viewing. Gonzales, the county seat, is known for its role in Texas independence and offers historic sites within an easy drive. Community sports and school events center on the Nixon-Smiley district, and San Antonio's cultural and recreational amenities lie about an hour to the northwest.