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First, let me thank everyone for the amazing advice they gave me below on where to start looking for places to live. The fact that so many people are willing to give great and helpful advice really says alot about D.C.
I was wondering how friendly DC and the surrounding areas are for dogs? Can you bring dogs on say... the washington monument lawn? are dogs allowed on the metro? Do they have designated dog parks where it is fenced in and they can run around leash free?
I am one of those people where my dog is like my child (go ahead, make fun ) and I would love to know what Im getting the poor little guy into!
The DC Metro as a whole is very pet friendly, and I would say that at least 75% of apartment communities allow pets. But most have some sort of weight and breed restrictions. Animals aren't allowed on Metro unless they are for person's with disabilities.
Right, only working dogs on the Metro. The Mall welcomes dogs, though, (as do most of the many, many parks in DC). You're obviously expected to clean up after them as necessary, and they are technically required to be on a leash, but that isn't enforced all that aggressively. Best at least to have a leash along, though, as The Mall has one of the highest police-per-square-mile ratios in the world. A lot of the inner suburbs (e.g., Arlington) do have dog parks. Leash laws again prevail (e.g., Fairfax County). As you get to the outer suburbs, there is enough open space for things to be a little more relaxed. But on the whole, there are lots of pets here, and a lot of people who feel as you do about them...
I think the metro area on a whole is dog friendly, but DC itself sure isn't. We had a hell of a time finding an apartment that allowed our 2 miniature dachshunds. And even then, the places themselves here in the city aren't very accommodating for them. As in, "You see that street? Thats your dog's bathroom." kinda places. Which is OK, I know its the city & all, but this aint NYC. So, there are SOME places in the city that allow them, but you're on your own for everything else.
Anyways, just be aware when you go hunting for places to live & ask questions.
It's a weird mix. A lot of the wealthier people have dogs and make a lot of political noise to get what they want, so a city with a significant deficit somehow justifies spending hundreds of thousands on new dog parks. Dogs really are everywhere.
On the other hand, I found trying to find an apartment with a dog comical. People would say over and over, "It would be so much easier without a dog!" And I'd be like, "Okay. Thanks. I'm sure it's a lot easier finding a place to live without kids too, but there they are and they need somewhere to sleep."
It's easier to find apts that allow smaller dogs. I have a 70 lb dogs, and it was not easy 2 years ago. I have seen more apts allowing large pets, and maybe I am forcing a correlation, but those apt rent rates have gone up a lot, too.
Apartement.com and rent.com will let you sort by pet friendly option. Just one thing to consider, some places have the rent rate changed daily, and don't just look at the move in special. It's because it might be within your price range that first year, the next it it's gonna hurt when you have to renew your lease. Moving with pets are not easy since there is usually a huge non-refundable pet deposit.
Welcome to DC, and a friendly reminder to pick up after your dog. The snow has since melted, but those dog owners who felt they didn't have to pick up during the snow storm are making us suffer right now.
dogs are everywhere in DC! With their owners of course, I don't mean stray dogs... which come to think of it, I don't think I have ever seen stray dogs in DC.... at least not yet.
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) and I would love to know what Im getting the poor little guy into!
