Everything Buyers Need to Know About Homes, Land, and Life in One of Nashville’s Most Exclusive Addresses
Buyers searching for homes for sale in Forest Hills, Nashville are typically looking for something increasingly rare in a growing city: real acreage, real privacy, and real quiet, without giving up a short drive to downtown or Green Hills. Forest Hills delivers all three — and it does so as its own incorporated city, with zoning designed from the ground up to keep it that way.
Tucked between Radnor Lake State Park and Percy and Edwin Warner Parks, southwest of Green Hills and adjacent to Belle Meade and Oak Hill, Forest Hills is one of a handful of small satellite cities inside Davidson County with its own mayor, government, and zoning code. There’s no commercial development permitted within city limits — no strip malls, no retail, no restaurants — just large wooded lots, quiet stone-columned streets, and some of the most expensive real estate in Middle Tennessee.
Forest Hills is one of those areas that can be difficult for newcomers to differentiate between the surrounding areas. Locals definitely know and understand the tremendous value that Forest Hills offers. The distinction can make a big difference for a buyer.
At Kyne Property Group, we help buyers and sellers navigate Forest Hills’ estate market, from established homes on smaller in-town lots to multi-acre trophy properties.
Forest Hills at a Glance (2026 Snapshot)
| Category | Details |
| Location | Southwest of Green Hills, between Radnor Lake and Percy/Edwin Warner Parks |
| ZIP Codes | 37215, 37220, and 37027 |
| Median Sold Price | Roughly $2.63M |
| Price Range | Roughly $1.8M (smaller established homes) up to $15M+ (large estates) |
| Avg. Days on Market | 53 days |
| Public Schools | Percy Priest Elementary, Julia Green Elementary, John Trotwood Moore Middle, Hillsboro High School |
| Zoning | Strictly single-family residential; no commercial development permitted |
| Signature Amenity | Direct proximity to Radnor Lake State Park and Percy/Edwin Warner Parks — nearly 4,000 combined acres of protected green space |
| Known For | Large wooded lots, privacy, strict zoning, long-term value stability |
Why Buyers Are Moving to Forest Hills
Space and Privacy That’s Increasingly Hard to Find
Forest Hills is defined by large, wooded, multi-acre lots and steep, forested topography that creates natural privacy buffers between homes. For buyers relocating from cities where an acre lot inside city limits is unheard of, Forest Hills offers something genuinely rare: real land, mature tree canopy, and distance from neighbors, all within a 15–20 minute commute of downtown Nashville.
Nearly 4,000 Acres of Protected Nature at the Doorstep
Forest Hills sits between two of Middle Tennessee’s premier natural areas. Radnor Lake State Park borders the city and offers roughly five miles of trails around an 85-acre lake, while Percy and Edwin Warner Parks add more than 2,600 acres of forests, trails, and equestrian paths. Many Forest Hills residents walk or bike to Radnor Lake directly from their homes, and the John C. Lovell Bikeway connects Percy Priest Elementary to the park. For buyers relocating from cities like Boston, New York, or San Francisco, this level of protected green space within city limits is genuinely uncommon.
Zoning That Protects Long-Term Character and Value
Forest Hills’ zoning code prohibits commercial development entirely within city limits, and short-term rentals are not permitted under city ordinance. That’s a deliberate choice by the city’s government, and it’s a major reason buyers choose Forest Hills over comparable Nashville neighborhoods — quiet, low-traffic streets and a housing stock that stays owner-occupied rather than turning over to investors or rentals.
Green Hills’ Amenities, Without Green Hills’ Density
Forest Hills has no retail or restaurants of its own by design, but Green Hills sits immediately next door, giving residents easy access to The Mall at Green Hills, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and a strong restaurant scene without absorbing any of that commercial development into Forest Hills itself. Buyers get the convenience without the traffic.
A Long Track Record of Long-Term Value
Forest Hills consistently ranks alongside Belle Meade at the top tier of Davidson County’s luxury market. Limited inventory, strict zoning that caps future supply, and a small, motivated buyer pool at each price point have combined to produce some of the most resilient long-term appreciation in the Nashville metro.
What’s Happening in Forest Hills Right Now
Continued Teardown-and-Rebuild Activity
As in many of Nashville’s most established luxury pockets, older homes on Forest Hills’ most desirable streets continue to be replaced with new custom construction, which has helped push per-square-foot values higher across the city even as the number of annual sales stays small. Buyers should expect meaningful competition for any well-located lot, whether the existing home is a renovation candidate or a teardown.
Aaittafama’ Archaeological Park Remains a Long-Term Neighborhood Project
At the corner of Hillsboro Road and Old Hickory Boulevard sits the future site of Aaittafama’ Archaeological Park, preserving the remains of a 15th-century Mississippian village discovered during a 1999 road project. Metro Parks purchased the seven-acre site in 2014 with support from the City of Forest Hills and the Friends of Aaittafama’, and a master plan calling for walking trails, historical interpretation, and parking has been in place for years. Development has moved slowly, and the site remains largely open green space today, but it stands as a rare piece of protected, historically significant land inside the city and a long-term amenity in progress for residents.
What’s In and Around Forest Hills: Parks, Schools & Nearby Amenities
Parks & Outdoor Recreation
- Radnor Lake State Park — bordering the city; roughly five miles of trails around an 85-acre lake
- Percy and Edwin Warner Parks — 2,600-plus acres of forests, trails, equestrian paths, and scenic roadways
- The John C. Lovell Bikeway — connecting Percy Priest Elementary to Radnor Lake
- Bison Meadow — a wildflower park along Hillsboro Pike
- Aaittafama’ Archaeological Park — a long-planned Metro park preserving a 15th-century Mississippian village site
Historic Landmarks
- The McCrory-Mayfield House — a circa-1798 log dwelling listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Shopping & Dining (Nearby in Green Hills)
- The Mall at Green Hills, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and a strong surrounding restaurant scene, all just outside Forest Hills’ borders
Schools
- Public: Percy Priest Elementary, Julia Green Elementary, John Trotwood Moore Middle School, Hillsboro High School — all part of Metro Nashville Public Schools despite Forest Hills’ separate city government
- Many families at this price point also consider nearby private schools in Green Hills and Belle Meade
Types of Homes You’ll Find in Forest Hills
Forest Hills isn’t uniform — pricing and lot size vary significantly by street, largely driven by proximity to Radnor Lake, Warner Parks, and the city’s steepest, most private terrain.
| Area / Home Type | Typical Price Range | Known For | Property Highlights |
| Established Homes Near Hillsboro Pike | $2M–$4M | Smaller lots relative to the rest of the city, closer to Green Hills | Easiest walk/drive to Green Hills retail and dining |
| Granny White Pike & Vaughn’s Gap Corridor | $3M–$5M | Mature streets, stone entrance columns, mixed lot sizes | Established neighborhoods with character and privacy |
| Chickering Road | $4M–$20M | Some of the city’s most prominent estate addresses | Large lots, custom architecture, notable recent sales |
| Tyne Boulevard & Otter Creek Road | $4M–$15M+ | The city’s largest, most private multi-acre estates, closest to Radnor Lake | Maximum privacy, mature tree canopy, direct proximity to Radnor Lake trails |
| New Custom Construction (city-wide) | Varies by lot, often $4M+ | Ground-up rebuilds replacing older homes on original Forest Hills lots | Modern construction and systems on established, larger lots |
What Sets Each Type Apart:
- Homes near Hillsboro Pike offer the shortest trip to Green Hills’ shopping and dining while still delivering a Forest Hills address.
- The Granny White/Vaughn’s Gap corridor carries much of the city’s classic streetscape character, with stone-columned entrances marking many streets.
- Chickering Road is home to some of the city’s most prominent estate sales, including recent trophy-level transactions.
- Tyne Boulevard and Otter Creek Road represent the top of the Forest Hills market — the largest lots, the most privacy, and the closest proximity to Radnor Lake itself.
- New custom construction continues to replace older homes across the city, reflecting sustained demand for modern systems and layouts on Forest Hills’ larger, established lots.
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Forest Hills, Nashville
Is Forest Hills part of Nashville?
Forest Hills is an independently incorporated city within Davidson County, with its own mayor and municipal government, separate from Metro Nashville. It’s surrounded by Nashville and shares a Nashville mailing address and Metro Nashville Public Schools zoning, but it sets its own zoning and building codes.
What is the median home price in Forest Hills, Nashville?
As of 2026, the median sold price in Forest Hills runs roughly around $2.63M, though the range is wide — smaller homes near Hillsboro Pike start around $2M, while large estates on streets like Tyne Boulevard and Otter Creek Road can exceed $15M.
Are short-term rentals allowed in Forest Hills?
No. The City of Forest Hills prohibits non-owner-occupied short-term rentals by ordinance, and owner-occupied short-term rentals face restrictions that make them impractical for most buyers. Buyers specifically seeking short-term-rental-eligible property in Davidson County should look at neighborhoods like Germantown, East Nashville, or downtown high-rise condos instead.
What school district is Forest Hills, Nashville in?
Despite having its own city government, Forest Hills is zoned for Metro Nashville Public Schools, including Percy Priest Elementary, Julia Green Elementary, John Trotwood Moore Middle School, and Hillsboro High School.
What’s the difference between Forest Hills and Green Hills?
Green Hills is a Nashville neighborhood built around walkable retail, dining, and a mix of housing types. Forest Hills is a separate, independently incorporated city immediately southwest of Green Hills, with no commercial development at all — strictly large-lot, single-family homes. Many Forest Hills residents rely on neighboring Green Hills for shopping and dining while living under Forest Hills’ own, more restrictive zoning.
What neighborhoods border Forest Hills?
Forest Hills borders Green Hills, Belle Meade, and Oak Hill, and is bounded by Radnor Lake State Park and Percy/Edwin Warner Parks.
Is Forest Hills a good place to buy in 2026?
Yes, for buyers prioritizing land, privacy, and long-term value stability. Inventory is limited and homes at the highest price points can take considerably longer to sell than the Nashville average, so buyers should be prepared for a slower-paced, negotiation-driven process rather than a fast turnaround.
Ready to Buy or Sell in Forest Hills?
Whether you’re searching for an established home near Green Hills or a multi-acre estate on Tyne Boulevard or Otter Creek Road, our team knows Forest Hills street by street. We help buyers navigate this small, low-inventory market and help sellers position estate-level properties correctly for the right buyer.
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