MidCity, Huntsville, AL: Entertainment, Dining, and Walkable Urban Living

MidCity is a lively planned community with a variety of event spaces, entertainment options, restaurants, cafes, and green spaces, less than 15 minutes from downtown Huntsville, Alabama. The neighborhood was created to be an “18-hour-a-day” space where visitors and residents can enjoy activities from sunup to sundown. 

Young trees line miles of new sidewalks taking residents past award-winning restaurants, popular grocers, thriving music venues, and back home, without ever needing to hop in a vehicle. Homes in MidCity are all luxury rental options at a price point that’s in line with Huntsville’s larger rental market.

Overall Vibe & Lifestyle

MidCity isn’t just a community space for residents but for all of Huntsville. This means the neighborhood has a busy atmosphere with visitors and residents constantly coming and going.  MidCity has a diverse and bustling vibe, with more of a sense of excitement and opportunity than a close-knit neighborly community. 

From a morning cappuccino to an after-work picnic with family, residents of MidCity enjoy a thriving social atmosphere with plenty of amenities within walking distance. Neighborhood streets are active as locals meet up with friends, walk their dogs, head to concerts, and relax in well-maintained green spaces. 

Safety & Walkability

MidCity residents enjoy a walkable environment with sidewalks lining every street. City bike route 60 runs along south MidCity, connecting the neighborhood with downtown Huntsville. Route 60 also intersects with bike route 41, connecting resident bikers to north and east Huntsville. 

The neighborhood conditions are similar to those of other growing mixed-use urban spaces, and frequent vehicle and foot traffic contribute to a bustling atmosphere. Late-night spaces, like the Orion Amphitheater and local bars, occasionally bring noise and congestion, but the multiple neighborhood access points and frequent patrolling make for a safe environment. 

Natural & Built Environment

MidCity is 140 acres of brand-new development, including sidewalks, trails, and Apollo Park, the first of several city parks to be built in MidCity. Four more city parks are planned for construction, along with the MidCity Greenway, which will bisect the neighborhood running north to south. 

Each building in MidCity is freshly constructed and aesthetically pleasing. From the modern red-brick ramen restaurants to warehouse-inspired shops, no two buildings are exactly alike, making for an engaging walk through the MidCity streets.  

Design & Architecture

MidCity apartment buildings are constructed in the 5-over-1 architectural style, a common mid-rise residential design found in many American cities. The design consists of five stories, though it can be four to seven depending on demand and building codes, with the first story and parts of the top story packed with building amenities. Each MidCity residential complex is unique, using a mix of modern siding, traditional red brick, polished concrete, and a pleasing urban veneer.

The MidCity development was built on abandoned retail space using eco-conscious methods, making these apartments an excellent reuse of space in the bustling Huntsville area. This building design is traditionally associated with gentrification, but the MidCity development was built on abandoned retail space using eco-conscious methods, making these apartments an excellent reuse of space in the bustling Huntsville area. 

Housing at a Glance

Metric	Description
Age	The MidCity multi-family complexes were all built after 2021.
Type	Most of the properties available in MidCity are rentals. They are a mix of open-concept apartments and townhouses, complete with high ceilings, wood-style flooring, and modern finishes.
Styles	These multi-family residential buildings are constructed in the 5-over-1 architectural style. They are mid-rise buildings that range from 4 to 7 stories, complete with red brick, neutral siding, large windows, and balconies.
Size & Layout	Homes range from 600 to 1,700+ square feet across mostly one floor, with the occasional two-story home. Layouts range from studio to three bedrooms, and some have in-unit yard access.
Unique Features	These rentals come with luxury building amenities, including saltwater pools, fitness centers, coworking spaces, outdoor recreation areas, and cafes.
Real Estate Market	Growing interest. MidCity is constantly growing, and as the district expands, interest in the apartments increases. Monthly rental prices range from $1,000 to $2,500.

Real Estate Snapshot

As of the mid-2020s, MidCity holds about 1,200 rental units, with no options for long-term property investment. Current MidCity rentals are priced similarly to the larger Huntsville rental market. These units are in relative demand, but it’s still possible to rent a unit in each complex. 

The neighborhood has plans to construct for-sale condos and single-family homes. Likely, demand for rentals and long-term investments will increase as MidCity grows. 

Amenities & Local Conveniences

The neighborhood functions as a top Huntsville entertainment hub, with the Orion Amphitheater at its center. The 8,000-seat outdoor venue regularly hosts national touring artists and major festivals. For a more relaxed experience, The Market hosts a regular farmer’s market that brings together over 50 local farmers, artisans, food vendors, and musicians every Sunday from spring through fall. 

Neighborhood amenities include the local Trader Joe’s, Top Golf, and a wide variety of restaurants. Residents enjoy the award-winning waffle-themed brunch spot, Superhero Chefs, which is right beside Viet Huong, a source of authentic Vietnamese cuisine in the middle of Huntsville. 

Apollo Park provides locals with 10 acres of green space and relaxation, including a pond for kayaking, a fitness court, and paved walking trails. The neighborhood also hosts regular events, such as the MidCity 5K, and offers seasonal opportunities for community gatherings. 

Apartment amenities vary and, depending on the exact complex, may include private dining rooms for events, resort-style swimming pools and sundecks, dog parks, electric vehicle charging docks, and much more.

Schools & Education

MidCity sits in the Huntsville City Schools (HSC) district. Most of the neighborhood is zoned for Columbia High School, though some residents in the north are zoned for Huntsville High School. Similarly, most apartments are zoned for Morris Elementary School and Morris Middle School, with some in the north zoned for Sonnie Hereford Elementary School and Huntsville Junior High School. 

Huntsville is also home to many high-quality private schools. The K-12 Westminster Christian Academy and John Paul II Catholic High School are both well-ranked options that are only a short drive from MidCity. As for higher education, the University of Alabama in Huntsville is a short walk or bike ride from MidCity, making the neighborhood an attractive option for students and staff.  

Commuting & Location

MidCity lies between Lee Highway, which provides access to Route 431 to the east, and Research Park Boulevard, which intersects with I-565 to the south. This means that, despite being outside the city center, MidCity residents get straightforward access to Huntsville’s most popular destinations. 

Huntsville is primarily car-dependent, but MidCity residents can rely on a mix of biking and walking for some everyday needs. Most will need a vehicle for commuting, and drive times increase when leaving MidCity during peak traffic, as the neighborhood streets may become gridlocked.

Destination	Drive Time (Approximate, Non-Peak)
Downtown Huntsville	13 minutes
Huntsville Hospital	15 minutes
Monte Sano State Park	20-25 minutes
Redstone Arsenal	15-25 minutes
Huntsville International Airport (HSV)	12-20 minutes
The University of Alabama in Huntsville	2-5 minutes

MidCity Neighborhood Map

Quirks & Perks

MidCity is a developing entertainment and cultural hub in Huntsville, which means the weekends bring an influx of visitors and the weekdays bring an influx of construction crews. For many residents, this reinforces MidCity’s position as an exciting, active neighborhood where there’s always something new to do or someone new to meet.

MidCity apartment rent is mostly on par with average Huntsville rentals, except for the larger, luxury units, which tend to be priced higher than the average city rents for units of a similar size. 

Neighborhood Logistics

Many of the current parking lots in MidCity are slated for building construction in the coming years. This means that residents will continue to benefit from a planned, increasingly dense urban space. The construction schedule is typical of other planned, urban communities. 

MidCity gives residents a modern, walkable lifestyle centered around entertainment, dining, and community events, making it one of Huntsville’s most energetic neighborhoods for those who enjoy an active urban environment with easy access to the city’s major employers and attractions.