Is Forest Hills safe?
Tampa, Florida · 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. Forest Hills is an established, quiet residential neighborhood anchored by a historic public golf course and mid-century homes. While major border roads like North Florida Avenue and Busch Boulevard experience higher property crime and commercial traffic, the residential interior is generally peaceful.”
Recent local updates center on pedestrian safety improvements and traffic-calming initiatives along primary cut-through routes like Linebaugh Avenue.
About the area
Forest Hills is a mature, tree-lined neighborhood in North Tampa known for its mid-century ranch-style homes, small scenic lakes, and the historic Babe Zaharias Golf Course. It serves primarily as a tranquil suburban enclave with modest local dining and retail along its outer arterial corridors.
- Quiet Residential
- Tree-Lined
- Mid-Century
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Forest Hills
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 49/100
There are no shared bike-share docks, and dedicated bike lanes are scarce, though the interior low-speed residential grid is relatively calm for casual cycling.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Stable residential core with solid homeownership and quiet, low-traffic neighborhood streets
- Scenic outdoor recreation centered around the Babe Zaharias Golf Course and neighborhood lakes
- Convenient vehicle access to I-275 for quick commutes to Downtown Tampa and USF
Cons
- Elevated property crime and opportunistic vehicle break-ins near commercial perimeters like Florida Avenue
- Busch Boulevard corridor to the south features heavy commercial traffic and occasional transient activity
- Limited pedestrian infrastructure with missing sidewalks along several interior streets
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the interior residential streets, but individuals experiencing homelessness and occasional panhandling can be observed along the Busch Boulevard and North Florida Avenue commercial intersections.
What Forest Hills is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and pleasant, with joggers and dog walkers active along residential streets and golf course borders.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm throughout the interior neighborhoods, with increased commercial traffic and bus activity on peripheral avenues.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Generally safe and quiet in the residential pockets, though caution is warranted along poorly lit commercial strips.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very low foot traffic; residential areas remain calm, but walking along Busch Boulevard or Florida Avenue late at night is not recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) provides service with local routes such as Route 1 (Florida Ave) and Route 39 (Busch Blvd), but there is no rail or BRT connection; a private vehicle is the most practical transit mode.
Ample and free parking is available throughout the neighborhood, including dedicated lots at local businesses, parks, and easy curbside parking on residential streets without meters.
Things to do in Forest Hills
- Play a round of golf or practice on the fairways at the historic Babe Zaharias Golf Course
- Relax and spot local birdlife at Forest Hills Park and Community Center
- Browse local vintage shops and authentic Latin eateries along North Florida Avenue
Local favorites
- Babe Zaharias Golf Course · Golf Course · 4.2★ (680)Historic 18-hole municipal course named after the legendary athlete, offering affordable public play.
- The Little Greek Fresh Grill · Greek Restaurant · 4.5★ (510)Neighborhood standby serving quick, flavorful gyros, souvlaki skewers, and Greek salads.
- Twistee Treat Forest Hills · Ice Cream Shop · 4.6★ (1150)Iconic ice-cream-cone-shaped roadside stand serving classic soft-serve swirls and sundaes.
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.