Is Forest Hills (Parkersburg) safe?
Vienna, West Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Forest Hills (Parkersburg) as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Forest Hills (Parkersburg)
“Go. Forest Hills and surrounding Vienna offer a peaceful, well-maintained residential environment that ranks among the safest parts of the Parkersburg metro area. Violent crime is uncommon, making it an easy and low-stress neighborhood to visit.”
About the area
Forest Hills is an established, tree-lined residential neighborhood situated in Vienna, West Virginia, just north of Parkersburg. It primarily consists of mid-century single-family homes, tidy yards, and convenient access to regional retail along Grand Central Avenue.
- Suburban
- Quiet Residential
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Forest Hills (Parkersburg)
Walk score: 34/100 · Bike score: 38/100
There are no municipal bike-share stations; cyclists rely on low-traffic residential roads or travel to dedicated recreation paths at Jackson Park.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower crime rates compared to central Parkersburg
- High rate of owner-occupied single-family homes fostering neighborhood stability
- Close proximity to primary regional amenities, medical facilities, and shopping
Cons
- High car dependency with limited continuous sidewalks on interior roads
- Occasional opportunistic property theft and vehicle break-ins near commercial fringes
- Limited street lighting on select residential side streets after dark
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Forest Hills, as social services and shelters are concentrated in downtown Parkersburg.
What Forest Hills (Parkersburg) is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and calm, with occasional dog walkers and low residential commuter traffic.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet and secure, with local residents out in yards and light commercial traffic nearby.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Very safe and settled as residents return home and street activity winds down.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely quiet with dark, sleepy streets; safety risks remain very low.
Transit, parking and getting around
The Mid-Ohio Valley Transit Authority (Easy Rider) provides bus service along the nearby Grand Central Avenue corridor, though neighborhood interior streets require personal vehicles.
Parking is completely hassle-free with ample private driveways and unrestricted, free street parking along residential curbs.
Things to do in Forest Hills (Parkersburg)
- Visit Jackson Park in Vienna for community walking tracks, tennis courts, and open greenspace
- Explore the nearby McDonough Wildlife Refuge for shaded hiking trails and nature viewing
- Browse local shops and dining options around the Grand Central Mall corridor
Local favorites
- Holl's Swiss Chocolatier · Chocolatier · 4.9★ (320)Renowned local confectioner handcrafting traditional Swiss chocolates and truffles.
- Da Vinci's · Italian Restaurant · 4.5★ (1850)Long-running community staple serving classic Italian fare, steaks, and house specialties.
- Scotto's Pizzeria · Pizza Restaurant · 4.4★ (560)Casual eatery offering hand-tossed NY-style pizzas, calzones, and hot subs.
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.