Forest Hills Neighborhood Review - Queens Moving Guide

Forest Hills is one of Queens' most desirable neighborhoods. Find out why and discover the neighborhood vibe, restaurants, schools, and average housing prices. Learn about what makes this neighborhood great.
forest-hills.jpg
Editors Rating (3.5 stars out of 5)
7.0 Overall
Average Rent Prices 9
Public transportation 7
Schools 7
Lifestyle 3
Crime 9

Forest Hills is a primarily residential, middle-class neighborhood filled with Tudor-style houses, best known for hosting the U.S. Open at West Side Tennis Club, containing Forest Hills Stadium.

This Forest Hills neighborhood review will look into public transportation, restaurants, average apartment rent, and sale prices.

Originally part of a district called Whitepot, which was settled about 1652, it was named Forest Hills in about 1910 for its location on wooded heights.

It has the convenience of shops, restaurants, and trains and beautiful tree-lined streets in a suburban setting. The main thoroughfare in Forest Hills is Queens Blvd.

Full of diversity, nature, and food, the commercial heart is Austin Street, which is home to plenty of shops, charming cafes, and restaurants.

Fun Fact: The Beatles had two sold-out shows arriving by helicopter at Forest Hills Stadium in 1964.

Real Estate in Forest Hills

Real estate in the Forest Hills neighborhood of New York City is a hot commodity, with properties located within its boundaries deemed highly desirable.

This area is geographically part of Queens and is bounded by Rego Park to the north, Kew Gardens to the south, Jamaica Estates to the east, and Flushing Meadows-Corona Park to the west.

Forest Hills offers a wide variety of real estate options for potential buyers, ranging from single-family homes, multi-family dwellings, and condos to co-ops and vacation rentals.

The area has long been known for its abundance of green space – including one of NYC’s most beloved parks – Forest Park.

The charming streets of Forest Hills are lined with Tudor-style houses built in the 1920s & 1930s; many have become historical landmarks within the area.

These homes have remained quite popular over time due to their unique styling and convenient location near amenities such as shopping centers, grocery stores & schools.

Forest Hills also boasts some of New York's most luxurious apartment buildings set amongst meticulously landscaped gardens; some offer stunning views of the Manhattan skyline or lush green surrounding areas.

The most notable high-rise apartment buildings in Forest Hills are The Continental on 108th St, Kennedy House, the Pinnacle, and the Windsor.

Average Rental Prices in Forest Hills

Studio$1,720
1 Bed$2,100
2 Beds$2,600
3 Beds$3,800
4 Beds$3,750
PropertyNest Real Estate Data As of June 2023

For those on a budget, there are also plenty of affordable housing options available as well, ranging from pre-war walkups to modern condos & co-ops.

Since it’s so close to public transportation – with express subway service that runs directly into Manhattan – it’s an ideal neighborhood for those who want short commutes to work while still being able to live outside the hustle and bustle of city life.

Average Sales Prices in Forest Hills

Studio$229,000
1 Bed$325,000
2 Beds$439,000
3 Beds$949,999
4 Beds$1,299,000
PropertyNest Real Estate Data As of June 2023

The beauty & desirability associated with living in this vibrant community has not gone unnoticed by homebuyers & renters alike, further strengthening this borough as one of NYC's premier neighborhoods for residents seeking convenience & recreation all at once.

With its safe streets, great schools & abundant cultural offerings, Forest Hills is truly a gem among other locales throughout New York City.

Transportation

Forest Hills is served by the IND Queens Boulevard Line.

The neighborhood’s three subway stops are along Queens Boulevard.

The 67th Avenue station is served by the E, M and R trains, the Forest Hills-71st Avenue station by the E, F, M and R, and the 75th Avenue station by the E and F.

The LIRR also serves Forest Hills in Station Square at Burns Street.

Subway lines in neighborhood

  • E

    IND Eighth Avenue Line

  • F M

    IND Sixth Avenue Line

  • R

    BMT Broadway Line

Bus Lines in Forest Hills
BusLocation
Q2371st Continental Avenue - Forest Hills Subway Station
Q6071st Continental Avenue - Forest Hills Subway Station
Q6471st Continental Avenue - Forest Hills Subway Station
QM4Jewel Avenue/136th Street
QM1171st Continental Avenue - Forest Hills Subway Station
QM1271st Continental Avenue - Forest Hills Subway Station
QM1871st Continental Avenue - Forest Hills Subway Station

Restaurants & Dining in Forest Hills

When it comes to cuisine variety, Forest Hills definitely has it. Forest Hills contains a variety of restaurants from all parts of the world, ranging from South America to Asia.

Whether you're looking for a nice ambiance with consistently good food, head to Forest Hills Station House. It's super conveniently located just a stone's throw away from the LIRR, train, Q64, and Q23 bus.

One of the best pizza joints can also be found in Forest Hills. Nick's Pizza offers customers perfectly charred thin-crust pies.

Spice up your life with a little Latin flavor at Cabana, a consistently good Cuban restaurant in the heart of Forest Hills.

Attractions & Nightlife

Austin Street is where you want to go if you're looking to shop 'til you drop. The store cluster just off Queens Blvd is stacked with chains and boutiques.

If you want to attend your next unforgettable music experience, look no further than Forest Hills Stadium. Once host to The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and The Rolling Stones, this convenient venue is amid bars, local dining, and major trains.

A good spot for some of the best craft beers and bar food in the borough (before or after a show) is a local hip hangout named Station House.

Desert Rain Lounge is a chill hookah bar and lounge that offers great service and a relaxed environment. Very spacious, so it's great for groups.

If you're looking to get a little more competitive, another cool hangout spot is The Billiard Company. This bar and lounge are packed with pool and ping-pong tables. Food and drink specials are every night from 9-12 PM.

Public & Charter Schools in Forest Hills

If you're looking to move with a family located in district 28, Forest Hills schools are some of the top destination schools in the entire borough of Queens.

There are various public and Private schools for children of different ages.

There are five public elementary schools, two public junior high schools, and one public high school in the 11375 zip code.

Local Schools in Forest Hills
SchoolInfoNotes
P.S 196 Grand Central ParkwayPublic - Pre K-5 - 905 studentsHigh performing destination school. Strong academics and leadership.
J.H.S. 190 Russell SagePublic - 6-8 - 1059 studentsTop performing students. Enthusiastic, experienced teachers.
Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic AcademyPrivate - PK-8 - 354 studentsAbove average test scores, 16:1 student-teacher ratio.
P.S.101Q The School in the GardensPublic - PK-6 - 608 students.Beautiful environment, experienced principal, and staff. Focus on creative writing and books as literature.

How Safe is Forest Hills Neighborhood?

The Forest Hills neighborhood has several public safety measures in place to ensure that all residents are safe and secure.

The local police department regularly patrols the area on foot and by car and works closely with local organizations to keep individuals informed about any potential dangers or disturbances that may arise.

Additionally, there are 24-hour surveillance cameras in operation throughout the streets of Forest Hills.

Many consider Forest Hills one of the safest neighborhoods in New York City due to its low crime rates.

Property crimes are also relatively uncommon due to proactive policing strategies and regular patrols by uniformed officers throughout the day and night.

Crime statistics

Crime rate: 1 out of 10
Approximately 6.6600 crimes (felony) per 1000 residents
Low Medium High

Residents in Forest Hills have access to many public safety services that help them feel secure at home or while running errands or commuting.

For example, they can take advantage of streetlighting during evening hours when they may be walking around after dark or reporting suspicious activity without fear of repercussions.

Additionally, there are popular mobile apps available that allow users to quickly contact emergency services if needed while traveling through certain areas within Forest Hills’ boundaries where cell phone reception might be weaker than in other parts of town.

With its numerous safety features, beautiful architecture, and active community life, it’s easy to see why so many individuals choose Forest Hills as their home in New York City.

Whether you’re visiting for a few days or looking for a permanent residence within this vibrant neighborhood, you can rest assured knowing that you’ll be living in one of the safest areas.

Rachel McCray
About the author

Originally from Florida, Rachel McCray, a writer and content producer, is now based in New York. Rachel offers expertise in New York City neighborhoods relating to real estate and history. Rachel McCray graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a bachelor's degree in Communication and Media Studies.