Market Overview for Forest Hills
There are 0 active listings in Forest Hills and a median sold price of $305K.
Homes average 18 days on market.
Over the past 30 days, 0 homes have sold, with 3 sales in the past 12 months.
About Forest Hills
Forest Hills is a residential neighborhood located in San Marcos, Texas, within the 78666 zip code in Hays County. The neighborhood sits on the east side of San Marcos, roughly bounded by SH 123 to the west and the Blanco River corridor to the south, approximately 30 miles south of downtown Austin. Forest Hills was developed primarily in the 1970s and 1980s and features established tree cover with a mix of hardwoods and evergreens along gently rolling terrain. The neighborhood is situated about 2 miles east of the Texas State University campus and the historic San Marcos town square.
Homes in Forest Hills typically range from $225,000 to $375,000 depending on square footage, lot size, and renovation status. The housing stock consists primarily of single-family detached homes with three to four bedrooms, ranging from approximately 1,200 to 2,200 square feet. Construction styles include brick ranch homes, split-level designs, and wood-frame houses on lots averaging 8,000 to 12,000 square feet. Many properties feature mature shade trees, large backyards, and established landscaping consistent with the era of construction.
Forest Hills is served by San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District. Students in the area typically attend Travis Elementary School, Miller Middle School, and San Marcos High School. Travis Elementary serves grades pre-K through 5 with approximately 500 students. Miller Middle School enrolls roughly 700 students in grades 6 through 8. San Marcos High School serves grades 9 through 12 with approximately 1,800 students and offers Advanced Placement courses, dual-credit programs through Austin Community College, and career and technical education pathways including health science and automotive technology.
Commuters from Forest Hills reach downtown Austin in approximately 35 to 45 minutes via I-35, which is accessible about 2 miles west. San Marcos has a Capital Metro bus connection at the Texas State University campus, and the San Marcos Transit system provides local bus routes throughout the city. Employment options within San Marcos include Texas State University, the San Marcos Premium Outlets retail corridor, and distribution centers along I-35. The commercial corridor along SH 123 and Wonder World Drive includes H-E-B, Walmart, and various dining and retail establishments within a 10-minute drive.
Living in Forest Hills
Forest Hills features established single-family homes on spacious lots with mature tree canopy providing shade through the hot Central Texas summers. Streets wind through gentle hills with sidewalks in some sections and open drainage along others, typical of 1970s-era subdivision design. Many homes have been updated with modern kitchens and bathrooms while retaining their original floor plans. Property tax rates fall under Hays County and San Marcos CISD jurisdictions. The neighborhood has a mix of long-term homeowners and families drawn by the relative affordability compared to Austin-area housing prices.
Daily life in Forest Hills centers on the nearby commercial corridors along SH 123 and Wonder World Drive. H-E-B is approximately 2 miles west, with additional grocery, banking, and medical offices along the route. The San Marcos River, accessible at several public parks, provides tubing and swimming opportunities from spring through fall, with average water temperatures near 72 degrees year-round. Purgatory Creek Natural Area, a 529-acre preserve about 3 miles northwest, offers over 6 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails through Hill Country terrain. The historic downtown San Marcos square hosts restaurants, shops, and seasonal events including the weekly farmers market.
Things to Do in Forest Hills
- Purgatory Creek Natural Area: 529-acre nature preserve about 3 miles northwest with over 6 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails through Hill Country terrain. Free admission.
- San Marcos River: Spring-fed river with year-round water temperatures near 72 degrees, offering tubing, swimming, and kayaking at multiple public access points.
- San Marcos Premium Outlets: Outdoor outlet mall along I-35 with over 140 stores, approximately 4 miles west. Open daily with seasonal sales events.
- Meadows Center at Spring Lake: Research and education center at the headwaters of the San Marcos River offering glass-bottom boat tours over the springs.
- Downtown San Marcos Square: Historic town square about 2 miles west with locally owned restaurants, shops, and a weekly farmers market on Saturdays.
Major Employers in Forest Hills
- Texas State University (Education): Public research university employing over 5,000 faculty and staff on its 492-acre main campus in San Marcos, 2 miles west of Forest Hills.
- San Marcos Premium Outlets (Retail): Outdoor outlet mall along I-35 with over 140 stores, employing approximately 2,500 workers and drawing over 8 million visitors annually.
- Amazon (Logistics): Fulfillment and distribution center on the east side of San Marcos along I-35, employing over 1,000 workers.
- Central Texas Medical Center (Healthcare): 116-bed acute care hospital in San Marcos on Sessom Drive employing over 600 medical and support staff.
Forest Hills Schools
Forest Hills is served by San Marcos CISD. Students typically attend Crockett Elementary or Hernandez Elementary or Bowie Elementary for elementary school, Goodnight Middle School or Miller Middle School or Doris Miller Middle School for middle school, and San Marcos High School for high school.
School District: San Marcos CISD
Public Schools
- Crockett Elementary - Elementary school serving the Forest Hills area in San Marcos CISD.
- Hernandez Elementary - Elementary school serving the Forest Hills area in San Marcos CISD.
- Bowie Elementary - Elementary school serving the Forest Hills area in San Marcos CISD.
- Goodnight Middle School - Middle school serving the Forest Hills area in San Marcos CISD.
- Miller Middle School - Middle school serving the Forest Hills area in San Marcos CISD.
- Doris Miller Middle School - Middle school serving the Forest Hills area in San Marcos CISD.
- San Marcos High School - High school serving the Forest Hills area in San Marcos CISD.
Pre-Schools
- San Marcos Day Nursery - Established childcare center in San Marcos serving infants through pre-K with structured early learning programs.
- Kids Campus Learning Center - Preschool and childcare facility on SH 123 offering programs for ages 6 weeks through 12 years.
Private Schools
- San Marcos Academy - Independent college-preparatory boarding and day school on a 110-acre campus in San Marcos serving grades 6 through 12.
Higher Education
- Texas State University - Public research university in San Marcos enrolling over 38,000 students, located approximately 2 miles west of Forest Hills.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are home prices in Forest Hills San Marcos
Homes in Forest Hills typically range from $225,000 to $375,000 depending on square footage and renovations. Most homes are single-family residences built in the 1970s and 1980s with three to four bedrooms on spacious lots.
What school district is Forest Hills San Marcos in
Forest Hills is zoned to San Marcos Consolidated ISD. Students typically attend Travis Elementary, Miller Middle School, and San Marcos High School. San Marcos High enrolls approximately 1,800 students with AP and dual-credit programs.
How far is Forest Hills San Marcos from downtown Austin
Forest Hills in San Marcos is approximately 30 miles south of downtown Austin. The commute takes 35 to 45 minutes via I-35, depending on traffic conditions.
What is there to do near Forest Hills San Marcos
The San Marcos River offers tubing and swimming year-round at 72-degree water temperatures. Purgatory Creek Natural Area provides 529 acres with over 6 miles of hiking trails. Downtown San Marcos features restaurants and a weekly farmers market.
What major employers are near Forest Hills San Marcos
Texas State University employs over 5,000 faculty and staff on its 492-acre campus about 2 miles west. San Marcos Premium Outlets employs approximately 2,500 workers. Amazon operates a fulfillment center along I-35.
Is Forest Hills San Marcos good for commuting to Austin
Forest Hills is approximately 30 miles from downtown Austin via I-35 with a typical commute of 35 to 45 minutes. The location provides access to San Marcos local employment while maintaining connectivity to the broader Austin metro area.