Alba's housing stock reflects its role as a small lake-adjacent town. The community offers a mix of older single-family homes near the townsite and rural properties on larger lots, with lake-area homes and acreage available in the surrounding countryside. Its position south of Lake Fork supports demand from anglers, lake visitors, and those seeking a quieter East Texas setting. The housing mix emphasizes modest homes, rural acreage, and lake-oriented properties rather than dense suburban development.

Alba is a compact town rather than a collection of distinct neighborhoods. Residences are clustered along U.S. Highway 69 and Farm to Market Road 17, with the school and local businesses at the community's center. The surrounding countryside consists of farms, timberland, and lake-oriented properties, and the community's small portion in Rains County reflects its historical growth across the county line. The town's identity is closely tied to Lake Fork and the surrounding East Texas landscape.

Life in Alba is shaped by its small-town character and its proximity to Lake Fork. Fishing is central to the community's identity, with the lake drawing anglers from across the country and supporting local businesses, guides, and services. The town itself remains quiet, with a compact residential core and a slower, rural pace. Residents enjoy access to the lake and the surrounding East Texas countryside, while Quitman, Mineola, and other nearby towns provide additional shopping, services, and community amenities.

Alba is served by the Alba-Golden Independent School District, which provides public education for students from the town and the surrounding rural area from the elementary grades through high school. The district is a central institution in the small community, drawing families to the area and anchoring local identity. Students also have access to educational resources in nearby Quitman, Mineola, and the broader East Texas region.

Alba sits at the intersection of U.S. Highway 69 and Farm to Market Road 17, providing connections to Quitman to the east, Mineola and Interstate 20 to the south, and the broader East Texas highway network. Daily travel is primarily by automobile, with the town's location placing it within reach of the region's larger communities. Lake Fork and its marinas and boat ramps lie a short drive to the north.

Recreation in Alba is dominated by Lake Fork, one of Texas's premier bass fisheries. The lake offers world-class fishing, boating, and related recreation just north of town, and its record-setting largemouth bass draw anglers from across the country. The surrounding East Texas countryside provides hunting, hiking, and outdoor pursuits, while nearby state parks and lakes expand recreational options. The town's location makes fishing and lake access central to local life.