Forest Hills

What catches people off guard is that this stretch of Kent County reads more like a wooded enclave than a suburb—rolling terrain thick with pines and shade trees, the kind of place where corner lots sprawl and home designs range from gated Old World estates to modern ranches with walk-out basements overlooking private courtyards. Located east of Grand Rapids, the area draws families who value space; many properties sit on half-acre lots or larger, with decks, patios, and wooded views woven into the everyday rhythm. Schools here anchor the character—the Forest Hills Public Schools district consolidated from a dozen one-room schools back in 1956 and remains central to why people settle in. Homes tend toward thoughtful construction, with hardwood, cathedral ceilings, and built-ins showing up across listings, while local touches like Forest Hills Foods grocery store, which emphasizes Michigan brands, keep the commercial life grounded and local. A handful of parks—Cascade Peace Park, Roselle Park, Siedman Park—punctuate the landscape, and seasonal events like Ada's Chili and Beer Festival add rhythm to the calendar without overwhelming the essential character: quiet residential streets where the greenery does most of the talking.