5 Chicago apartment types you can rent if you’re a dog owner

Are you finding the apartment search for you and your dog a little ruff? If you’re a renter and a pet owner, sometimes it requires twice the work to find a perfect place to live. Do you want a high-rise with luxury pet services and dog runs? Or is a small sized building with a backyard be enough? What about proximity to running paths or great dog parks?

That’s where we come in. If you’ve just moved here with your loyal companion or you’re dreaming about owning a dog one day—here are five of the pet-friendly options you can expect to see in the city.

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Via Domu

Live near the best dog park

If you’re looking for a building that’s near one of the city’s most popular dog parks, consider the South Loop neighborhood. We’ve mapped some of the best places to take your dog, and a fan favorite is Fred Anderson’s dog park. It has spacious runs with concrete obstacles and fake grass for both small and large dogs. There are usually a few spare toys lying around, planted trees, shaded areas, and kiddie pools filled with water in the summer.

This particular unit at 1401 South State Apartments we’ve picked out also has a dog run onsite, which makes it easy to let your pup get some exercise when the weather isn’t ideal for a long walk. The high-rise also comes with amenities such as light in-unit cleaning and Hello Alfred, a personal home service that can pick up dry cleaning or groceries.

Downtown buildings like this put a premium on pet ownership. Right now, the most affordable one bedroom, one bathroom is $1,977 per month. On top of that, renters with pets will pay a $500 one time fee and $25 per month. There’s also a two pet limit.

Rent a two-flat with near a dog-friendly trail

Perks of a smaller unit building when you’re a pet owner? No waiting for the elevator and you won’t have to worry about run-ins with other dogs. Plus, if you’re training a puppy it’s much easier to potty train them when all you have to do is let them out the back door. The challenge here is finding a landlord that will let you have a larger dog or be okay with certain breeds.

The apartment we picked in Bucktown has a yard that’s on the smaller side. Good thing it’s within walking distance of the Churchill dog-friendly area and Walsh Park’s new dog run. Both of those are off The 606 trail, which is perfect for on-leash walks too. So, if you know you’ll want to give your pup plenty of chances to play and get outside—this is the apartment for you.

Rent for this two-bedroom unit is $2,000 per month. There’s a one-time $250 pet fee and a one animal limit.

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Treat your dog like a queen

When it comes to your pet, do you spare no expense? Seriously. If you’re looking for top-of-the-line living, look at One Bennett Park. This full-service luxury building will help you treat your dog like royalty. Things like rooftop dog runs, in-house dog walking services, dog spas, and pet happy hours are commonplace at high-end downtown towers. Offering up more enticing amenities to pets, in addition to humans, allows these buildings to have a more competitive edge in a market where thousands of apartments are available.

At One Bennett Park rents aren’t cheap—this one bedroom, one bathroom unit is $3,665. The premiere building has its own park designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh, who designed Maggie Daley Park and The 606. Idyllic gardens, winding pathways, and groves of trees surround two dog runs. Tenants here also have access services like dog walking and grooming from Paw Street Pets.

Give your pet the yard of their dreams

Looking for more a low-rise neighborhood vibe? Moving further out of downtown into neighborhoods like Roscoe Village, Humboldt Park, Beverly, and Rogers Park can offer a lot more green space. If all you’re searching for is a simple fenced-in backyard it shouldn’t be hard to find an affordable, pet-friendly option in these neighborhoods.

We love this mid-size apartment building in Roscoe Village which comes with a giant grassy backyard. The location is great for active dog owners as well—it’s near the North Branch of the Chicago River which has a few dog-friendly walking paths. Plus, Hamlin Park has a fun off-leash area too. And if you want a more laid back day? There are dog-friendly hangs like Four Trey’s Tavern and Cody’s Public House nearby.

The two-bedroom unit here rents for $2,295 per month, and there’s a one-time $100 pet fee. The limit is one 35-pound dog, but that’s flexible depending on the size and type of animal.

Get the best of both worlds

Don’t want to deal with the hustle and bustle of a high-rise but still want those precious amenities? There are smaller-scale, new buildings opening up in neighborhoods across the city like this one in Uptown. The Draper was a former office turned into a midcentury modern-inspired 342-unit apartment building with a tiki lounge, lush plants, and green velvet upholstery.

Just like many of the downtown high-rises, you’ll have convenient access to a dog run here. Not only do you all the amenities, easy access to Red Line stations, and the lakefront—but you’ll be just a mile away from the Montrose Dog beach. It’s a beloved destination for all dog owners that’s not to miss in summer.

For this one-bedroom unit, rent is $1,860 per month.