Forest Hills Area Guide
Forest Hills is a small, independently governed city of about 4,800 residents tucked between two of Middle Tennessee's most spectacular parks: Radnor Lake State Park and Percy Warner Park. Located just 7 to 10 miles south of downtown Nashville, Forest Hills delivers something rare: a genuinely rural-feeling environment within easy reach of the city's best shopping, dining, and cultural attractions. The steep, wooded hills and winding roads give the neighborhood an almost pastoral quality, but Green Hills and Belle Meade are just a five- to ten-minute drive in either direction.
Forest Hills incorporated as its own city in 1957 and has maintained that independence ever since. Like its neighbor Oak Hill, the area is almost entirely residential with virtually no commercial development. The city operates its own government, manages its own roads and stormwater, and works actively to preserve the hilly terrain and mature tree canopy that define the community. This is a place where preservation isn't just a value. It's written into the zoning code.
What to Love About Forest Hills
- Bordered by both Radnor Lake State Park (1,200+ acres) and Percy and Edwin Warner Parks (3,100+ acres combined), giving residents access to thousands of acres of trails, forests, and green space
- A deeply private, residential-only community with no commercial development inside city limits
- Large, wooded lots with rolling terrain provide natural seclusion and strong property values
- Just 15 to 25 minutes from downtown Nashville, Vanderbilt University, and the West End corridor
- Strong public and private school options, including Percy Priest Elementary and nearby Harpeth Hall, Ensworth, and MBA
- Rich Civil War history and connections to the Natchez Trace, one of America's most significant historic routes
- The John C. Lovell Bikeway connects Percy Priest Elementary to Radnor Lake, offering residents a dedicated recreation path
Real Estate and Homes
Forest Hills real estate is defined by space, privacy, and architectural variety. Properties here sit on large, often heavily wooded lots. Many homes have long private driveways, setbacks from the street, and natural screening from neighbors. High-density housing (apartments, condos, townhomes) is not permitted. This is a single-family home community through and through.
The housing stock spans several decades. Subdivisions like Chickering Hills, Chickering Valley, and Otter Creek Estates were developed in the 1950s and feature classic mid-century brick ranches, many of which have been renovated or expanded over the years. Along Hillsboro Pike and Old Hickory Boulevard, you'll find larger estates built in the 1920s and 1930s, when the area's picturesque countryside attracted Nashville's most prominent families.
Architectural styles you'll find in Forest Hills:
- Mid-century brick ranch homes (the backbone of the neighborhood)
- Tudor Revival (including the notable Richard E. Martin House, listed on the National Register)
- Colonial and Georgian estates
- Craftsman and Farmhouse-influenced custom builds
- Modern and transitional new construction
Newer custom builds are increasingly common, particularly on lots where older homes have been replaced. These newer homes often range from 4,000 to 8,000 square feet and feature gated entries, in-ground pools, and premium finishes. The city's Hillside Protection Zoning Overlay ensures that new development respects the area's topography and existing tree cover.
Local Tip: Forest Hills is a "satellite city" of Nashville. Residents do not receive all Metro Nashville services. The city provides its own road maintenance, chipper service, and stormwater management. There are no city property taxes assessed by Forest Hills itself; funding comes from a share of state-collected taxes.
Lifestyle and Local Highlights
Forest Hills offers a lifestyle built around nature, family, and quiet sophistication. It's not a place you go for nightlife or trendy restaurants. It's a place you live because you want peace, beauty, and room to breathe.
Parks and Outdoor Recreation
This is where Forest Hills truly stands apart. Radnor Lake State Park borders the community to the east, offering 1,200 acres of forested trails, a tranquil lake, and some of the best bird watching in the Southeast. Percy and Edwin Warner Parks sit to the west, adding another 3,100+ acres with hiking trails, a nature center, picnic areas, equestrian trails, two golf courses (Harpeth Hills and Percy Warner), and the famous Allée staircase. The Warner Parks also host popular events like the Full Moon Pickin' Parties and the Iroquois Steeplechase.
Within Forest Hills, residents can also enjoy:
- Bison Meadow, a wildflower park on Hillsboro Pike featuring rare native grasses and wildflowers
- The John C. Lovell Bikeway, a 1.5-mile path connecting Percy Priest Elementary to Radnor Lake
- The Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory on Granny White Pike, which hosts concerts, tours, and astronomy talks
Dining and Shopping
Forest Hills has no restaurants or shops within its borders. Residents head to neighboring communities for everyday needs:
- Green Hills (north): The Mall at Green Hills (Nordstrom, Louis Vuitton, Gucci), Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, North Italia, and the legendary Bluebird Cafe
- Brentwood (south): Publix, Fresh Market, Mere Bulles steakhouse, Uncle Julio's, and a variety of retail along Old Hickory Boulevard
- Belle Meade (west): Sperry's Restaurant, Belle Meade Historic Site and Winery, Cheekwood Estate and Gardens
Schools
Forest Hills falls within Metro Nashville Public Schools. Key zoned schools include:
- Percy Priest Elementary (Niche B+, ranked among the top elementary schools in Davidson County)
- J.T. Moore Middle School
- Hillsboro High School
Nearby private schools are among the most respected in the state: Harpeth Hall School, Montgomery Bell Academy (MBA), Lipscomb Academy, and Ensworth School.
Community and Culture
Forest Hills has deep historical roots. The area played a role in the Battle of Nashville during the Civil War, and two branches of the historic Natchez Trace ran through what is now Forest Hills. The Richland Country Club, founded in 1901 and spread across 170 acres, sits on the former Battle of Nashville site and serves as a social hub. The Sequoia Swim and Tennis Club is another gathering spot for families.
The city government is actively engaged with residents, and the community has a strong sense of identity despite (or perhaps because of) its small size.
Getting Around
Forest Hills is car-dependent. Hillsboro Pike (U.S. Route 431) runs through the community and provides direct access to Green Hills and downtown. I-65 is easily reachable for commutes south to Brentwood and Cool Springs. Most residents report 15- to 25-minute commute times to downtown Nashville. The low-traffic, private character of the neighborhood is part of the appeal.
