Forest Hills lives up to its name outside Grand Rapids
Surrounding a stretch of the Grand River east of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Forest Hills is an affluent suburb that lives up to its sobriquet. “It’s in the name — Forest Hills — there are tree-lined streets and so much greenery,” says Shuyan Shi, a Realtor with Success Realty of West Michigan. The area is highly desirable, in part because of the schools. “Forest Hills is, I would say, the most sought-after suburb in the Grand Rapids marketplace,” says Mark Brace, the owner of Brace Homes at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Michigan. “Primarily because it has one of the best school districts in Michigan.” New developments, a revitalization in the Ada area and proximity to the rest of Grand Rapids provide the rest of the area’s appeal. “There’s a reason why Grand Rapids is always on the top ten best places to live lists,” Brace says. Healthcare and manufacturing are significant sectors around Grand Rapids. The grocery chain Meijer's corporate headquarters is in Walker, another suburb.
Some Forest Hills residents enjoy private docks surrounding Echo Lake or East Lake.
Forest Hills Fine Arts Center is a performing arts theater in the Forest Hills.
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Competitive market for large homes
The housing market is competitive, and houses tend to be priced high accordingly. “It’s tough to get into,” Shi says. “In 2023 and early 2024, it was difficult. People are still very interested even with those higher price points, so most homes have a bidding war.” The median home price for a single-family home is about $613,000, well above the national median. Homes are often large, and the landscape adds to the atmosphere. “There’s rolling, wooded hills, hence the name,” Brace says. Ada is one part of Forest Hills that has seen revitalization. “Forest Hills is a larger area that comprises Ada, Cascade and Napps Corner,” Brace says. “There’s a lot of positive energy and development in the Ada area. It’s been revitalized, with the whole downtown completely rebuilt.” There are also townhomes in Ada, part of Oxbow development there.
New Traditional homes in Forest Hills often feature steep-pitched roofs and gabled dormers.
The Ryann Ridge community in Forest Hills feature spacious homes with custom details.
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Language immersion at highly ranked Forest Hills Public Schools
Forest Hills Public Schools earns an A from Niche, who also rank it the 16th best district in the state. “Parents get really involved in the schools, which brings people close together,” Shi says. The district is known for its language immersion options for students. “There are Mandarin and Spanish immersion programs at the school district,” Brace says. “That’s very popular.”
Forest Hills Central High is one of three high schools in the Forest Hills Public Schools.
The Forest Hills public schools has its' own Community and Aquatic Center for students.
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Interstate 96 heads into Grand Rapids
Interstate 96 runs straight through town, providing easy access to commercial hot spots and bustling downtown Grand Rapids. “It's not that far from the city, maybe like a 15-to-20-minute commute,” Shi says. Forest Hills homeowners can hop on 96 for an 11-mile ride into the city. Most locals are drivers with limited public transit options in town. Gerald R. Ford International Airport is about 8 miles away. Detroit is about 150 miles away. Corewell Health Grand Rapids’ Blodgett Hospital is about 8 miles west.
Bike trails, green space and the Thornapple River
The area has several large parks, including Cascade Peace Park, Roselle Park, and Siedman Park. “There are several parks throughout Forest Hills,” Brace says. “There is also a lot of community activity and biking trails. Ada has done a great job putting in paved bike trails throughout the community.” There are several golf courses nearby, including the Egypt Valley Country Club.
“Also, the Thornapple River is dammed, and there are some smaller man-made lakes along it before it joins the Grand River,” Brace says. “That’s a nice feature.”
Forest Hills residents are not far from Reeds Lake at Gilmore Park.
The trail around Reeds Lake in Gilmore Park is popular for walkers in Forest Hills.
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Revitalized Ada has plenty to offer
Local shops and restaurants line the Forest Hill Avenue retail corridor, a central location for homeowners to run errands or stop for a bite to eat. Forest Hills Foods is the go-to for weekly grocery shops, a local chain dedicated to supporting Michigan brands, including local and organic produce. “Ada is the most walkable shopping and dining area in Forest Hills,” Brace says. “There are a lot of new restaurants, a hotel and new stores.” Commercial-heavy 28th Street is a few miles west, with miles of shopping centers, malls and big box stores for errands.
Forest Hills Foods offers same day delivery groceries to individuals in the Forest Hill area.
JU Sushi and Lounge is the premier sushi lounge in Forest Hills neighborhood.
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Major League Soccer is coming to Grand Rapids
Residents in Forest Hills have local events to look forward to. “Ada has some fun festivals like the Chili and Beer Festival,” Brace says. “And Tinsel, Treats and Trolleys is a fun holiday event they have in December.” There is plenty of culture in Grand Rapids, too. “Most of the bigger developments are happening in Grand Rapids,” Brace says. “They are putting in a soccer stadium and will have a Major League Soccer team in a couple of years. They’re putting in a giant amphitheater. There’s a lot of cool stuff happening in Grand Rapids.” The soccer team is expected for the 2027 season.
Important to know
According to the Kent County Sheriff’s data, violent crime counts have held mostly steady since the end of 2020, while property crime counts have decreased somewhat since 2022. While Midwest winters are cold, Forest Hills has a bit of a buffer thanks to all the water. “The Great Lakes insulate us a little bit,” Brace says. “So we’re a little warmer than Minnesota and Wisconsin.”
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GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
35,581
Median Age
43
Population Density
2 ppl/acre
Population under 18
25.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
20.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$134,851
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$167,229
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.1%
College Graduates
68.4%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
30.3%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
69.9%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
39''
Average Winter Low Temperature
19°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
46''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
20/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
2/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
