Is Forest Hills (Charleston) safe?
Charleston, West Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Forest Hills (Charleston) as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Forest Hills (Charleston)
“Go. Forest Hills is one of the safest and most tranquil residential enclaves in Charleston, characterized by wooded surroundings and low crime. While visitors will find few commercial amenities directly inside the neighborhood, it offers a peaceful, secure retreat just minutes from downtown and South Hills dining.”
About the area
Forest Hills is a leafy, hillside residential neighborhood situated in the South Hills region of Charleston, West Virginia. It is primarily made up of well-maintained single-family mid-century and traditional homes nestled among mature trees and rolling terrain.
- Quiet / Residential
- Wooded / Leafy
- Hilly
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Forest Hills (Charleston)
Walk score: 14/100 · Bike score: 12/100
There is no municipal bike-share system in Charleston, and steep, winding topography without dedicated bike lanes makes cycling strictly recreational for experienced riders.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are exceptionally low compared to the citywide Charleston average
- High rates of homeownership, low vacancy, and well-maintained residential properties
- Peaceful, quiet environment with minimal through-traffic
Cons
- Extremely steep and winding terrain makes walking or biking impractical for errands
- Total lack of commercial retail or dining within immediate residential streets
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes such as unlocked car prowls
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Forest Hills. Social services and emergency shelters are concentrated north across the Kanawha River in Downtown and West Side Charleston.
What Forest Hills (Charleston) is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and serene with light local traffic and occasional neighborhood dog walkers on the streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very calm and secure, with residents commuting or tending to yards and gardens.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and dimly lit with virtually no foot traffic, though safety remains consistently high.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely low activity with occasional vehicle movement; standard caution regarding wildlife and roadway visibility applies.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by the Kanawha Valley Regional Transportation Authority (KRT), but routes run along primary corridors like Oakwood Road and Corridor G rather than through the neighborhood streets. Charleston has no passenger rail or BRT network.
Driveway and garage parking is standard on almost all properties, and street parking is free, though narrow hillside roads require cautious curbside placement.
Things to do in Forest Hills (Charleston)
- Take a quiet morning stroll or nature jog along the winding, tree-lined residential streets
- Hike the nearby historic Sunrise Carriage Trail for scenic views of the Kanawha River and downtown skyline
- Explore the nearby South Hills / Bridge Road shopping district for boutique shopping and upscale local dining
Local favorites
- Lola's Pizza · Pizza Restaurant · 4.6★ (820)A cozy South Hills neighborhood staple serving wood-fired specialty pizzas, salads, and wine in a converted cottage.
- The Bridge Road Bistro · Fine Dining · 4.4★ (510)An elegant venue nearby offering regional American cuisine, fresh seafood, fine wines, and live jazz.
- Sarah's Bakery · Bakery · 4.7★ (160)Charming local bakery offering custom cakes, artisanal cookies, fresh pastries, and daily treats.
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.