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These are the most dog-friendly cities to live in

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Although moving can be stressful, it can also be exciting, especially with your best furry friend along for the ride. Finding dog-friendly places to live, though, is much trickier. Not only does your home need to accommodate your pup, but there also should be trails, parks, and even dog-welcoming places to eat nearby. The point of moving to one of these dog-friendly cities isn’t to keep Fido at home!

Zillow Research did what they do best to bring readers the answers they desperately need to know; they asked: Where are the emerging most dog-friendly places to live in the U.S.? From the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic shores, there are plenty of familiar and unexpected options in a variety of climates. These are a few places to consider, so check out the Zillow article for the full list.

a white dog starts down brick stairs and looks up at his owner next to him
Samson Katt / Pexels

Denver, Colorado

The Mile High City tops the list with the highest number of new accounts made on Rover since March 2020 (via Zillow). And, to us, this comes as no surprise. With so many outdoor spaces to explore around the Denver area, there’s always somewhere to go with your pet. From Rocky Mountain National Park to one of Denver’s own city parks, the scenery will never get old.

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With a number of dog parks in downtown Denver, even the heart of the city can be dog-friendly. The city’s website notes that pups need to be kept on leashes inside the city’s parks (non–dog parks, that is), though many allow off-leash play in certain areas.

Anaheim, California

Disneyland’s hometown is also a dog-friendly town! Although you can’t bring your fur baby into the parks themselves, there are countless restaurants, bars, and outdoor spaces that welcome your pup as well. Anaheim took spot number three on this list thanks to a high percentage of listings that included a dog run or outdoor fenced space.

Another fun feature that’s specific to Anaheim is the popularity of dog beaches. They work exactly the same way as dog parks, but they give you and your pet access to the sand and ocean for a fun day of play.

Florida

Floridians, this one’s for you! Out of 15 total spots on this list, Florida snagged four of them: Orlando at second place (you can thank their 4% increase in listings labeled as “dog-friendly” during the pandemic), Tampa taking 10, Miami in spot 13, and St. Petersburg rounding out the bottom of the list. Although these cities each have their own climate, culture, and energy, any one will be not only welcoming but also excited to have you — and your dog, of course.

Boston, Massachusetts

Although your pup may not enjoy every aspect of Massachusetts weather (namely, winter), the amount of dog-friendly homes and amenities might just make up for that. There are six designated dog recreation spaces throughout Greater Boston — and dogs are allowed leashed in other Boston parks — so you’ll always have somewhere to let your pet blow off steam.

Boston also prides itself on being a pristine, beautiful city for locals and visitors alike. Because of this, they enforce what’s known as “The Pooper Scooper Law,”  requiring dog owners to pick up after their pets.

Glendale, Arizona

For pups and parents who enjoy a warmer climate, Glendale, Arizona, is the place to go. With several designated dog parks and several city parks in this expansive town, you’ll be able to stay active during the cooler hours of the day, while dog-friendly bars and restaurants give you something to do in the afternoon.

Do mind the heat, especially when it comes to your pup’s health. Pavement can look much cooler than it is, and it’s easy for dogs to burn their paws on a hot day if you’re not careful.

a man in workout clothes walks with a white husky under a yellow tree
Zen Chung/Pexels

North Carolina

Alongside Florida, North Carolina is the only state to make it onto this list more than once. Charlotte finished fourth in the list while Fayetteville holds the 11th spot, but what is it that makes North Carolina so dog-friendly?

Well, Mo, the doggie travel agent, sure doesn’t hurt the matter! He’s the spokesdog for Visit North Carolina, which aims to increase tourism in the Tar Heel State but also spotlights some of Charlotte and Fayetteville’s top canine interests in the process. Check it out!

Fort Worth, Texas

Although many pet parents have moved to Texas, not everyone knows about Fort Worth’s pup-friendly qualities. This city is home to the aptly named Fort Woof Dog Park, as well as dozens of other dog and human parks you both can enjoy.

Other attractions in this city include Coyote Drive-in Theater, Mutts Canine Cantina (an off-leash play place for dogs and a restaurant/bar for humans), and many miles of walking trails. Check out Visit Fort Worth for more canine-friendly attractions — yep, there’s more!

We get it: Your dog is part of the family! Wherever you move has to be just as accommodating for her as it should be for you, whether you pick somewhere on the East Coast, the Pacific Northwest, or anywhere in between. From desert to snow and even beaches, there’s a dog-friendly city somewhere ready to welcome your whole family.

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Gabrielle LaFrank
Gabrielle LaFrank
Contributor
Gabrielle LaFrank has written for sites such as Psych2Go, Elite Daily, and, currently, PawTracks. When she's not writing, you…
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