Is Forest Hills safe?
Chesapeake, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Forest Hills as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Forest Hills
“Go with care. Forest Hills is a quiet, older residential neighborhood in northern Chesapeake that is generally safe for daytime visits and residential living. Visitors should practice standard suburban situational awareness, especially at night, due to occasional property crime and vehicle break-ins common along nearby transit corridors.”
Local Chesapeake policing initiatives continue to focus on mitigating opportunistic vehicle break-ins along the northern Chesapeake and South Norfolk corridors.
About the area
Forest Hills is an established mid-20th-century residential enclave in northern Chesapeake near the historic South Norfolk area. Characterized by single-family ranch homes and mature trees, it offers a peaceful residential atmosphere with quick highway access to both Norfolk and central Chesapeake.
- Suburban
- Quiet Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Established
Walking and biking in Forest Hills
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 44/100
There are no municipal bike-share hubs or dedicated protected bike lanes in the immediate neighborhood, though residential side streets have flat terrain and low traffic speeds suitable for casual riding.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Lower violent crime rates compared to nearby urban cores in Portsmouth and Norfolk
- Quiet, low-density residential streets with ample yard space and mature tree canopies
- Direct and convenient road access to I-464 and I-64 for regional travel
Cons
- Higher property crime and theft frequency than master-planned communities in southern Chesapeake
- Minimal commercial or entertainment options within immediate walking distance
- Inconsistent sidewalk infrastructure and street lighting on several residential blocks
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is rare within the residential core of Forest Hills, though occasional unhoused individuals or panhandlers may be observed along high-traffic commercial stretches on surrounding regional corridors.
What Forest Hills is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Mornings are calm and quiet, with routine commuter traffic and residents walking pets along local streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Afternoons stay peaceful, with school traffic and delivery vehicles moving through the interior streets.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Evenings are subdued and family-oriented, though lower lighting levels require extra awareness on foot.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Late nights are very quiet with minimal foot traffic; standard precautions regarding unattended vehicles are advised.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) provides local bus service along nearby corridors such as Bainbridge Boulevard via Route 13, connecting to downtown Norfolk and Chesapeake transit stations.
Street parking is free, unregulated, and readily available throughout residential roads, complemented by private driveways at most homes.
Things to do in Forest Hills
- Tour the historic homes and architectural heritage of the adjacent South Norfolk Historic District
- Visit Lakeside Park just north of the area for passive recreation, walking, and neighborhood water views
- Take a short drive south to enjoy the open green space and trails at Chesapeake City Park
Local favorites
- The Cutting Edge Cafe · Cafe & Deli · 4.8★ (385)A nearby staple known for scratch-made artisan sandwiches, soups, and baked goods.
- Pollard's Chicken · Southern Restaurant · 4.4★ (490)Longstanding local counter-service eatery serving traditional Virginia-style fried chicken and classic sides.
- Big Ugly Brewing · Brewery · 4.7★ (760)Popular nearby craft brewery with a spacious taproom, food trucks, and regular live music.
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.