Arese borders the following municipalities: Lainate, Garbagnate Milanese, Bollate, Rho, Milan.

Starting in 1960 Arese hosted the main seat of Alfa Romeo, partly in the territories of Lainate and Garbagnate Milanese.

Arese and the factory are in fact very close to the exhibition centre FieraMilano located in neighbouring Rho.

A large number of parks and playgrounds are complemented by a numerous key services.

The city also has a large communal sports centre comprising a wide range of indoor and outdoor facilities and the home of the local Arese football club.