About 40 miles from Buffalo, patches of woodland, farmland and vineyards define Forestville, New York’s landscape. Located on the cusp of the Lake Erie Concord Belt, this tiny hamlet sits within 10 miles of some of the county’s most sought-after communities, locally owned wineries and other entertainment options. “It might seem like the middle of nowhere, but there’s quite a bit of culture around here,” says Louis Dispenza, a local Realtor with Midtown Realty, who has been in the industry for almost 20 years. “We have 35 different wineries between Silver Creek and the Pennsylvania state line, which draws in thousands of people every summer; we have the Chautauqua Institution; SUNY Fredonia and Fredonia Opera House.” Historic homes dot Forestville’s tree-lined streets, offering residents a step back in time. Paired with nearby amenities and a CAP Index score of 2 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4, Forestville attracts those seeking the tranquility of a rural, small-town lifestyle with nearby access to entertainment.
While Forestville has a handful of retail establishments, most residents travel to Fredonia and Dunkirk which is about 15 minutes away.
Henry's Hair Co in Fredonia near Forestville has a 4.8 rating on Google.
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Local parks, Lake Erie’s beaches and state forests
In the heart of Forestville, ball fields and a small playground sit next to the hamlet's American Legion meeting house. Down the road, Forestville Sports Center features pickleball, basketball and tennis courts, and a nearby 1-mile-long trail caters to afternoon strolls. However, the trail is closed during the hunting season, which lasts from November to January.
Chautauqua County boasts over 10,000 acres of state forest lands open to the public for hiking, biking, hunting, trapping, fishing and camping. “Hunting is a huge part of the culture up here,” says Jerod Zahn, a real estate salesperson with ERA Real Estate, who has lived in the region for over 50 years. “It’s normal for everyone to take off work or school for the first day of the hunting season.” He also notes that the area's hilly terrain, scenic landscapes and access to outdoor recreation are some of the largest draws to the region. “We have all four seasons, but our winters can be rough due to the lake effect snow,” Zahn says. “Staying active is the only way to make it through the winter.” Many residents heed that advice by availaing themselves of nearby ski resorts and snowmobile trails.
Other nearby recreational areas include Silver Creek’s green spaces along and around Lake Erie’s shores, about 6 miles away. The village’s town park has another ball field, playground and sports courts. A short drive to the shore leads residents to Sunset Bay Beach, also known as Hanover Town Beach. A quick stroll down South Shore Drive leads to Cattaraugus Creek Harbor, where a paved path along a long rocky pier offers picturesque waterfront views. Several marinas and boat ramps are also scattered along the creek.
Green spaces, state parks and campgrounds dot the shoreline. Ten miles from Forestville, Dunkirk’s Point Gratiot Park has additional stretches of sandy beachfront and sports courts, and Wright’s Beach features the area’s only skatepark. Two golf courses, the Shorewood Country Club and The Vineyards Golf Course, sit within 5 miles of Dunkirk. Forestville residents are also down the road from the Tri-County Country Club, a semi-private club with an 18-hole golf course.
Dunkirk near Forestville has a board walk that is often used for fishing.
The Forestville Walking trail goes along the Walnut Creek with the trail head starting on Walnut Street.
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Bungalows, colonials and ranch-style homes
Residential streets fan off Forestville’s Main Street. Country roads weave past 19th- and early 20th-century bungalows, American Foursquare, split-levels and colonial- and ranch-style homes. Standard amenities include detached garages, paved driveways and modest backyards. Sales prices in the area can range from the $100,000s to the $200,000s, while fixer-uppers can sell for as low as $26,000.
The typical price range for homes in Forestville is between $100,000 and $200,000.
Forestville also has some beautiful colonial homes within and around the village.
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A small Main Street and Fredonia’s nearby amenities
Forestville’s tiny Main Street features a handful of establishments, including a post office, bank, animal hospital, gas station and restaurant. Housed in a historic two-story building, Tavern on the Mall is the hamlet’s only sit-down eatery, with classic American fare such as burgers, wings and clam chowder. Six miles away, Silver Creek is home to several small restaurants and a Tops Friendly Market.
However, the Village of Fredonia and Dunkirk offer more extensive shopping and dining options. Nine miles west, Fredonia boasts a lively Main Street with local bakeries, bars, beauty salons and restaurants. Established in 1868, The White Inn is a newly renovated hotel and restaurant known for its upscale soups, salads and fire-grilled filets. Down the road, national grocers and retailers such as Walmart Supercenter, Harbor Freight and T.J. Maxx sit just south of Interstate 90.
Tavern on the Mall is the only sit down diner in Forestville and focuses on burgers, wings and clam chowder.
There is a bank branch in Forestville next to the local post office.
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Forestville Central School District
Forestville Central School District earns an overall B-minus grade from Niche. Pre-kindergarteners through sixth graders may attend Forestville Elementary School, which scores a B and is named the fourth-best public elementary school in the county. Seventh through twelfth graders may attend the C-plus-rated Forestville Middle/High School. Extracurricular activities range from athletic programs to the popular ski and snowboard club. For those pursuing higher education, the State University of New York at Fredonia is about 9 miles from the neighborhood.
Forestville Elementary School has an overall B grade on Niche.
Forestville Central High School has 201 students.
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Fall fests and wineries
Residents flock to Forestville High School’s gymnasium every September for the Forestville Fall Festival, formerly known as the Forestville Apple Festival. Vendor stalls showcase homemade baked goods, fresh produce and trinkets. Over the weekend, attendees can also participate in a range of kid-friendly activities, chili cookoffs, basket raffles and a parade. Proceeds from the festival help fund two scholarships for Forestville High seniors, the local food pantry and other associations such as the fire department.
Surrounding businesses host community events throughout the year. Just outside the hamlet, Merritt Estate Winery features two weekend-long festivals during the year: Septemberfest and the Strawberry Festival. Both events feature live music, arts-and-crafts vendors, and fresh food. A bounce house attracts kids of all ages, while parents can spectate from the sidelines, chatting with a wine slushie or craft beer in hand.
The famed Chautauqua Institution sits about 30 miles south of Forestville. The Institution hosts an annual nine-week series of thought-provoking seminars, lectures and continued learning that range from science to religion. "Every day, there is a 10 a.m. lecture, and every week has a different theme," explains area real estate salesperson Heather Chase. "One day, they'll bring in an expert to talk about artificial intelligence; the next day, they'll have someone completely against AI. It's all about encouraging a community of thought." Former notable speakers include Alexander Graham Bell, Elie Wiesel and four American presidents. Classes also cater to various interests, such as music, dance, theater, ceramics, bookmaking and yoga.
State Route 39 and Interstate 90
The Chautauqua Area Regional Transit System offer public transit in the neighborhood. Buses regularly stop at the Forestville Animal Hospital, connecting residents to neighboring towns. However, Forestville is primarily a car-dependent community. Dunkirk’s Brooks Memorial Hospital is about 9 miles west via New York State Route 39. Fredonia’s Main Street is 9 miles away, and Buffalo Niagara International Airport is 45 miles northeast via Interstate 90. Other nearby roadways include U.S. Route 20 and New York State Route 5.
Written By
Lillie Duston
Photography Contributed By
Stefan Ludwig
Video By
Charles Kennedy
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Daniel Terhune,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Forestville, NY sell after 68 days on the market compared to the national average of 51 days. The median sale price for homes in Forestville, NY over the last 12 months is $164,000, down 34% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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