Forest Heights is located just off of Sutherland Avenue, and just a hop skip and a jump from Kingston Pike. It’s right in the heart of Bearden in close-in West Knoxville.

The neighborhood commonly referred to as Forest Heights is actually comprised of four individual subdivisions: Forest Hills, Forest Heights, Highland Hills and Highland Hills Addition. Although the earliest homes in the community date back to the 1920s, most were built after the 1940s.

Home styles in the neighborhood are unique and diverse, but mostly fall into the cottage and Tudor categories. Many homes also have stone accent, lending to the whole rather storybook feel of the neighborhood.

The Forest Heights Neighborhood Homeowner’s Association was formed in 1973, mostly in order to fight cut through traffic to and from I-40 (which they successfully did in 2001).

Although Forest Heights itself — being extremely hilly and without sidewalks — is not particularly walkable, it’s a moment away from one of the most walkable areas in West Knoxville. A short trip down the hill to Sutherland Avenue lands residents right on a true runner’s and walker’s paradise: the Third Creek leg of the Knoxville Greenway system, which goes all the way to downtown and beyond to East Knoxville.

Even if residents aren’t into walking for exercise, they can still get plenty of exercise by walking to the store. Forest Heights is located within easy walking distance of a lot of great grocery shopping, including the fairly new EarthFare located just up the street on Forest Park Blvd, the Bearden Kroger just across the way on Kingston Pike and a Fresh Market a little further east on Kingston Pike.

Forest Heights residents also have a good excuse to have dessert at dinner, since they can walk it off on the way home. Restaurants within easy walking distance of the neighborhood include Naples (Italian), Nama (sushi), and Big Fatties (did somebody say southern food and banana pudding to die for?) in the Homberg area. If they don’t mind taking a quick drive, they can also visit nearby Sitar for Indian food, Soccer Taco for Mexican fare, Calhoun’s for ribs and bar-b-que, Gourmet’s Market for quick lunch or laid back Sunday Brunch, or Rouxbarb or Echo for some upscale American dining. Oh, and dessert is also a short drive away, with The Cupcakery and Cities Cupcakes practically right across the street from each other just moments away off Kingston Pike.

Forest Heights residents don’t have to go far to blow off some steam, either. The new Bearden Beer Market is not too far away and features too many kinds of beer to list here, as well as a year round beer garden. Fancy! But if residents don’t feel like getting fancy with their drinking, they can head a little ways west up Kingston Pike to Toddy’s Backdoor Tavern, where the jukebox is always rockin’ and the hot dogs are always free.

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We moved into Forest Heights in 2010 from Farragut and have enjoyed being close to downtown, UT, and the great shopping of Bearden. The neighborhood events are great opportunities to meet other Forest Heights residents.Brad Fitch