Williston's housing market reflects its rural, small-town setting. The city offers a mix of older in-town homes near the historic downtown and larger rural properties on the surrounding acreage, with lakefront and agricultural parcels available in the broader area. Housing tends to be modest and affordable compared with Florida's coastal and metro markets, and the community's country setting attracts buyers seeking space, privacy, and a working landscape of pastures, groves, and woodlands.

Williston's residential pattern centers on its historic downtown and the surrounding countryside. The in-town area features older homes within walking distance of the downtown's shops and restaurants, while the outskirts transition into rural parcels, ranchettes, and agricultural land. The city serves as the commercial and civic hub for a spread-out rural population, with residential areas extending along the roads leading toward Gainesville, Ocala, and the surrounding spring country.

Life in Williston is quiet, rural, and community-centered. The historic downtown offers small shops, locally owned restaurants, and cafes that anchor daily life and support a close-knit atmosphere. The area's agricultural heritage—cattle ranches, citrus groves, and nurseries—shapes a country lifestyle, while the nearby freshwater springs add a distinctive recreational dimension. Residents enjoy a slower pace, with Gainesville and Ocala providing larger-city amenities within an easy drive.

Public education in Williston is provided by the School Board of Levy County, a district headquartered in nearby Bronson that serves the county with about 15 schools and roughly 5,600 students. Williston is home to Williston Elementary School and Joyce M. Bullock Elementary School, serving local students in the early grades before they continue through the district's middle and high schools. The district is the primary public school option for the city and surrounding rural areas.

Williston sits in north-central Florida, positioned between Gainesville to the east and Ocala to the south, with access to the region's state and U.S. highways. The city is within convenient driving distance of the University of Florida and Gainesville's employment and services, while Ocala and the Gulf coast are also reachable by car. As a small rural city, most daily travel is by automobile along the area's highway network, with no major public transit system.

Williston lies in the heart of Florida's freshwater spring country, making outdoor and natural recreation a defining feature. Nearby attractions include Devil's Den Prehistoric Spring and the Blue Grotto dive resort, popular destinations for scuba diving, snorkeling, and swimming in the region's clear spring waters. Two Tails Ranch, an elephant sanctuary, is another local draw. The surrounding Nature Coast offers additional springs, forests, and outdoor opportunities, while the Gulf coast lies within a short drive to the west.