Is Forest Hills (Wheeling) safe?
Wheeling, West Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Forest Hills (Wheeling) as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Forest Hills (Wheeling)
“Go. Forest Hills is an exceptionally safe, serene, and affluent residential neighborhood in Wheeling with virtually no violent crime. While it lacks commercial businesses within its borders, it offers a secure and peaceful base just minutes away from Oglebay Park and National Road.”
Recent municipal coverage has focused on regional hillside stabilization and road maintenance projects following seasonal rain across Ohio County.
About the area
Forest Hills is a picturesque, hilltop residential enclave characterized by well-manicured lawns, mature trees, and mid-century single-family homes. It primarily serves families, retirees, and professionals seeking quiet suburban privacy close to Wheeling's main corridors. Visitors will find safe, low-traffic streets, scenic views, and easy driving access to regional dining and recreation.
- Quiet Suburban
- Wooded / Scenic
- Car-Dependent
- Family-Friendly
Walking and biking in Forest Hills (Wheeling)
Walk score: 14/100 · Bike score: 18/100
There are no dedicated bike lanes or bike shares in Forest Hills, and steep grades make cycling difficult; paved multi-use paths are available via the Wheeling Heritage Trail downtown.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Very low violent and property crime rates compared to regional and national averages
- High rates of homeownership and well-maintained residential properties
- Quiet, low-traffic environment with no commercial disturbances
Cons
- Completely car-dependent with zero walkable retail or dining options inside the neighborhood
- Steep and winding access roads that can become hazardous in winter snow and ice
- No direct fixed-route public transit running through the interior streets
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is virtually nonexistent in Forest Hills. Support services and encampments in the Wheeling region are situated several miles west in the downtown urban core.
What Forest Hills (Wheeling) is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and bright, with residents walking dogs and minimal local vehicular traffic.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Extremely calm, safe, and quiet with children occasionally playing outside.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Tranquil and secure, though winding streets require care when driving in dusk conditions.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Pitch-black and quiet with negligible street activity and very low safety risk.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by the Ohio Valley Regional Transportation Authority (OVRTA), but service is restricted to the base of the hill along National Road rather than the neighborhood itself.
Parking is abundant and free, with ample space in private driveways and unrestricted curbside parking throughout the residential roads.
Things to do in Forest Hills (Wheeling)
- Enjoy a safe, tranquil jog or dog walk along the tree-canopied residential roads
- Drive five minutes uphill to explore Oglebay Resort, including the Mansion Museum and Good Zoo
- Take a short drive down to National Road to sample historic Wheeling architecture and local dining
Local favorites
- Figaretti's Restaurant · Italian Restaurant · 4.6★ (1150)Historic Wheeling dining institution serving homemade pasta, traditional Italian entrees, and signature sauces.
- Ye Olde Alpha · American Restaurant · 4.4★ (1280)Beloved local gathering spot offering hearty steaks, burgers, craft beers, and rustic lodge-style decor.
- Good Mansion Wines · Specialty Wine & Cheese Shop · 4.8★ (690)Renowned gourmet shop offering imported Italian cheeses, charcuterie, freshly baked breads, and fine wines.
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.