Apartment hunting with your four-legged best friend in mind? A breakdown of your ten best options, including pet perks, fees and rent

If you have a dog, you know what I’m talking about. When it comes to location, it’s no longer just about location, but about what that location means for the happiness of your dog: Is there a good place to walk her, a park to let her off the leash and a place to wash her off when she inevitably rolls in the dirt once she’s leash-free? And, most importantly, how long will it take to get from my front door to a place she can relieve herself without getting into trouble?

A house with a yard is ideal, yes, and I gave in. But if you’re not ready to say goodbye to apartment life, I’ve taken a look at and broken down ten of you and your best friend’s best options, including puppy perks, human perks and that dreaded pet fee and rent.

Ascent

Location: Uptown (225 Poplar Street)
Puppy perks: One pet grooming station, plus Romare Bearden is literally your dog’s front yard.
Pet fee and rent: $500 deposit + a $200 non-refundable fee per dog
Human perks: Apartments come standard with 9-foot ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, bluetooth keyless door locks and kitchens with pendant lighting, glass backsplashed and Carrara or concrete quartz countertops. Community features include 24-hour concierge, tailoring services, black car transportation and a two-story resident lounge that includes a rooftop saltwater pool.
Rent: $1,470+. See availability and floor plans here.

[Related: See what life looks like from the 32nd and 33rd floors of Ascent, a new luxury apartment in Uptown]

Ashton South End

Location: South End (125 West Tremont Avenue)
Puppy perks: One dog park and direct access to the Rail Trail
Pet fee and rent: $600 non-refundable pet fee for the first dog + $400 for the second
Human perks: Apartments come standard with stainless steel appliances, solar shades, 10- and 11-foot ceilings, wine racks and hardwood floors. Community features include a rooftop pool, 11th-floor SkyLounge, theater room, guest suite and valet dry cleaning.
Rent: $1,513+. See availability and floor plans here.

Berkshire Dilworth

Location: Dilworth (1351 East Morehead Street)
Puppy perks: Dog grooming stations, pet spa and access to the Little Sugar Creek Greenway
Pet fee and rent: $400 non-refundable pet fee + $10 monthly pet rent
Human perks: Apartments come standard with GE stainless steel appliances, satin nickel hardware, 9- and 10-foot ceilings, French doors, USB outlets and gourmet kitchens. Community features include a saltwater pool with an infinity edge, 24-hour fitness center, barre and yoga, tech lounge and a rooftop terrace.
Rent: $1,006+. See availability and floor plans here.

Catalyst

Location: Uptown (255 West Martin Luther King Boulevard)
Puppy perks: Romare Bearden is your front yard
Pet fee and rent: $250-$750 non-refundable pet fee + $20 monthly pet rent
Human perks: Apartments come standard with hardwood floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, European-style kitchens and granite counters. Community features include a fitness center, private clubroom, library, outdoor terraces and pool with a sun deck.
Rent: $1,404+. See availability and floor plans here.

Element Uptown

Location: Uptown (355 West Martin Luther King Boulevard)
Puppy perks: Pet wash station, plus Romare Bearden is steps away
Pet fee and rent: $350 deposit + $15 monthly rent
Human perks: Apartments come standard with key fob entry, USB outlets, semi-frameless glass showers, 12- and 14-foot ceilings and quartz countertops. Community features include a saltwater pool with cabanas and a bar, views of both stadiums, guest suite, outdoor fireplace and 24-hour concierge.
Rent: $1,291+. See availability and floor plans here.

Elmhurst at Sedgefield

Location: Sedgefield (215 Poindexter Drive)
Puppy perks: Large patios, wooded areas and adjacent to Sedgefield Neighborhood Park
Pet fee and rent: One-time $250 fee
Human perks: Apartments come standard with equipped kitchens, oversized windows and large kitchens. Community features include a private pool and landscaping.
Rent: $990+. See availability and floor plans here.

Gateway West

Location: Third Ward (902 West 4th Street)
Puppy perks: Automatic pet-washing station and walking distance from the off-leash dog park at Frazier Park
Pet fee and rent: $500 one-time fee + $30 monthly rent
Human perks: Apartments come standard with keyless entry, patios, washer and dryer and granite countertops. Community features include a heated saltwater pool, courtyards, yoga and spin room, movie theater and demonstration kitchen.
Rent: $1,075+. See availability and floor plans here.

Junction 1504

Location: South End (1504 Mainline Boulevard)
Puppy perks: Large off-leash dog park and direct access to the Rail Trail
Pet fee and rent: $375 pet fee + $15 monthly rent
Human perks: Apartments come standard with private balconies, stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, granite countertops and track lighting in the kitchen. Community features include an open-air yoga terrace, multi-level clubhouse, wi-fi café, group exercise, business center and grilling areas.
Rent: $1,246+. See availability and floor plans here.

Lexington Dilworth

Location: Dilworth (1100 Euclid Avenue)
Puppy perks: Off-leash dog park, dog spa and six courtyards to lounge in (on-leash)
Pet fee and rent: $350 fee + $20 monthly rent
Human perks: Apartments come standard with self-programming thermostats, high ceilings, gourmet kitchens, granite countertops and oversized balconies. Community features include a saltwater pool, coffee service, 24-hour fitness studio, clubrooms and gourmet demonstration kitchen.
Rent: $1,495+. See availability and floor plans here.

SkyHouse

Location: Uptown (640 North Church Street)
Puppy perks: Large dog park, small dog park and dog spa
Pet fee and rent: $300 non-refundable deposit + $15 monthly rent
Human perks: Apartments come standard with private balconies, granite countertops, high ceilings and hardwood floors. Community amenities include the 6th-floor SkyPark with tennis courts, bocce ball a putting green and large activity field, the rooftop SkyDeck with a fire pit and grilling stations, 24th-floor fitness center, the rooftop SkyLounge with free wi-fi and the PoolDeck, with a saline pool and two covered lounges with skyline views.
Rent: $1,174+. See availability and floor plans here.

Feature photo by Tara Lilly