Is Forest Hills safe?
Columbia, South Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Forest Hills as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Forest Hills
“Go. Forest Hills is an affluent, historic, and peaceful residential neighborhood with very low rates of violent crime. Visitors will find safe, scenic, tree-lined streets ideal for daytime walks and architecture viewing, though they should lock vehicles to deter opportunistic property theft along bordering corridors.”
About the area
Forest Hills is a charming historic residential enclave characterized by rolling topography, grand mature trees, and well-preserved early-to-mid 20th-century homes. Located just east of downtown Columbia and Five Points, it serves as a tranquil, upper-middle-class suburb nestled within the city limits.
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Quiet & Residential
- Affluent Enclave
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Forest Hills
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 48/100
While there are no dedicated bike lanes inside the neighborhood's interior streets, low traffic speeds make it bike-friendly, though dedicated city trails are a short drive away.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to Columbia citywide averages
- High household income and strong homeownership rate exceeding 80%
- Active neighborhood association and strong residential community vigilance
- Well-maintained infrastructure, street lighting, and manicured private properties
Cons
- Isolated residential streets with limited commercial foot traffic at night
- Occasional opportunistic vehicle break-ins along border roads like Gervais Street and Forest Drive
- Few sidewalks on several interior hilly streets, requiring pedestrians to share the roadway with cars
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent within the interior residential streets, though occasional panhandling or individuals in transit may be observed along major perimeter avenues such as Gervais Street and Forest Drive.
What Forest Hills is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with neighbors walking dogs, jogging, and heading out for morning commutes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very calm with minimal traffic; interior streets feel quiet and exceptionally safe for casual strolls.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential dusk with low ambient noise and high perceived safety throughout the neighborhood.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and quiet; violent crime is rare, but interior streets have limited pedestrian presence late at night.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by The COMET, with bus routes 88 and 701 running along Gervais Street and Forest Drive on the neighborhood's perimeter.
Parking is almost entirely free residential street parking and private driveways, with no metered zones or parking garages inside the neighborhood.
Things to do in Forest Hills
- Take a self-guided architectural walk admiring historic Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival, and mid-century modern residences.
- Walk or jog along the shaded, winding streets connecting down toward the historic Manning Avenue corridor.
- Access nearby Five Points and Devine Street retail and dining corridors located just minutes to the southwest.
Local favorites
- Il Giorgione Pizzeria & Wine Bar · Italian Restaurant · 4.6★ (650)Cozy neighborhood trattoria serving authentic wood-fired pizzas, fresh pasta, and Italian wines just south of Forest Hills.
- The Gourmet Shop · Cafe & Specialty Market · 4.7★ (1900)Longtime local staple nearby offering specialty cheeses, wine, charcuterie, and popular brunch cafe fare.
- Tazza Kitchen Trenholm Plaza · New American Restaurant · 4.5★ (920)Lively nearby dining spot featuring wood-fired cooking, craft cocktails, and seasonal Southern-inspired dishes.
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.