Housing in Yancey consists of a mix of ranch-style and traditional single-family homes on large lots, along with farmsteads and rural acreage throughout the surrounding countryside. Properties frequently include outbuildings, livestock space, and room for equipment, reflecting the area's ranching heritage. Development is sparse and spread out rather than suburban, and most residents own their homes. The community appeals to those seeking country acreage, privacy, and a self-sufficient lifestyle within commuting distance of San Antonio.

Yancey has no formal subdivisions; it is a scattered rural community anchored by Farm to Market Road 462. Homes and ranches spread across the open country, with the small community center near the old school and store sites. Hondo, the Medina County seat about 13 miles north, serves as the local hub for government, schools, and shopping. San Antonio, 36 miles east, is the region's primary employment and cultural center.

Life in Yancey is defined by ranching, farming, and the rhythms of rural South Texas. Residents value open space, self-reliance, and a tight-knit community where neighbors know one another. The pace is unhurried, and daily life revolves around the land, the local school system, and nearby Hondo. San Antonio's dining, entertainment, and cultural amenities are within an easy drive, giving residents the best of country living and city access.

Yancey is served by the Hondo Independent School District, which includes the towns of Hondo and Yancey and operates campuses in the county seat. The district's modern form grew out of the consolidation of Medina County's rural school districts in the mid-20th century, including the community schools that once served the Yancey area. Students attend Hondo ISD campuses in Hondo, roughly 13 miles north, and higher education is available in San Antonio.

Yancey is reached by Farm to Market Road 462, which connects the community to Hondo to the north and to U.S. Highway 90, the region's principal east-west corridor. San Antonio is about 36 miles east, and San Antonio International Airport is the nearest major airport. Travel is almost entirely by car along the area's farm-to-market roads and highways, with Hondo providing the nearest access point to major routes.

Recreation in Yancey centers on the outdoors and the region's rural landscape. Hunting, fishing, and horseback riding are part of the local way of life, and the nearby Medina River and Hill Country state parks are within a short drive. Medina County's open ranchland offers wide-open space, while San Antonio provides larger attractions, professional sports, and cultural venues. The community's appeal lies in the quiet, land-based recreation of South Texas country life.