Is Forest Hill Terrace safe?
Richmond, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Forest Hill Terrace as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Forest Hill Terrace
“Go. Forest Hill Terrace is a quiet, leafy residential enclave in Southside Richmond that is generally safe for visitors and residents alike. While petty property crime like vehicle break-ins does occur, violent crime is uncommon on its residential streets.”
About the area
Forest Hill Terrace is an established mid-20th-century neighborhood situated just south of the James River and west of Forest Hill Park. It features single-family brick ranches, mature trees, and quick access to local dining and outdoor recreation along Forest Hill Avenue.
- Quiet Residential
- Tree-Lined
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Forest Hill Terrace
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 58/100
Forest Hill Avenue features sections with bike lanes connecting riders to the James River Park System trails and the Manchester climbing wall area.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Low violent crime rates relative to the broader City of Richmond
- Stable homeownership and well-maintained single-family properties
- Direct proximity to Forest Hill Park and James River Park System trailheads
- Convenient access to local independent eateries along Forest Hill Avenue
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes like vehicle break-ins and theft from yards
- Limited street lighting on certain interior residential blocks
- Pedestrian infrastructure is inconsistent with missing sidewalks on some side streets
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the residential streets of Forest Hill Terrace, with occasional panhandling seen near major intersections along Forest Hill Avenue and Jahnke Road.
What Forest Hill Terrace is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe with neighbors walking dogs and commuters heading toward downtown.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and family-oriented with light residential traffic and open park spaces nearby.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Generally safe and quiet, though standard awareness is advised along less-lit side streets.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very low foot traffic; safe overall, but lock vehicles to deter opportunistic theft.
Transit, parking and getting around
GRTC provides bus service along Forest Hill Avenue via Route 2A/B and Route 75, connecting riders directly to Downtown Richmond; there is no rail or BRT service in this neighborhood.
Street parking is widely available and free throughout the neighborhood with no residential permits or meters required.
Things to do in Forest Hill Terrace
- Explore the walking trails, lake, and weekend farmers market at nearby Forest Hill Park
- Grab artisan pastries and coffee at local favorite The Grill at Patterson & Libbie / surrounding Forest Hill cafes
- Access the James River Park System at Buttermilk Trail for hiking and mountain biking
Local favorites
- Outpost Richmond · Market & Bike Shop · 4.7★ (320)A neighborhood corner market offering local provisions, craft beer, sandwiches, and bike service.
- Riverside Tavern · American Restaurant · 4.5★ (410)Casual neighborhood gathering spot serving hearty pub fare, craft beers, and weekend brunch.
- Laura Lee's · New American Restaurant · 4.6★ (560)Stylish neighborhood bistro known for comfort cuisine, cocktails, and an inviting garden patio.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.