Here we are back with part 4 of our series answering questions, exposing myths, and providing insight to what moving to downtown Des Moines is all about.

If you missed any of the previous entries here are links just for you:

Part 1–The Lifestyle is everything!

Part 2–Is downtown living more expensive than the burbs?

Part 3–Kids!

 

 

Do pets doom you to a fenced in backyard in the burbs?  The correct answer to this is no–of course!  Having certain pets downtown can lead to you needing a bit of creativity, but having pets is no excuse to stay in the burbs.

If you have cats your problem doesn’t lie with where you can live.  Most of the properties downtown allow cats, but tend to be nervous of the type of people that would have a cat.  (ok, just a joke…..)  Cats don’t need to be taken out because they stink your apartment up instead.  Since they never need to be taken out, no creativity or exercise is required. 

Dogs on the other hand, as I have learned first hand, are a little bit of a hassle.  First off, not every place allows dogs, and the properties that do allow dogs sometimes have weight restrictions.  I have a black lab, Barkley, and he tips the scales at 75-80 lbs.  This means that many of the properties downtown that do allow dogs he’s too big for. 

 Not all though.  Mulberry Lofts, Whiteline, Brown Camp are 3 places that come to mind that were very inviting to having Barkley move into the building.

What do you do about letting the dog out?

That’s not a problem at all either.  The folks that have planned downtown have done a great job in keeping green space available.  For instance, if you moved into Mulberry Lofts you would have grass right outside the front door, behind the building, as well as the Gateway Park just 1 block away.  And don’t forget about the trails by the river and Gray’s Lake for walking.

The same goes for Whiteline and Brown Camp.  Those properties have grass space on-site, and both are right on the great nature trails that exist downtown.

I used to think that physically taking your dog outside everyday would prove to be a pain–but I found out that it’s quite nice.  Once I got Barkley onto my schedule (egads!), I enjoy taking him out in the morning, and taking him around on walks to get exercise.  There are times that I miss our old privacy fenced in yard, but it has been fun to see him get used to being around other people, and I really enjoy the exercise.

There are already tons of pets that live downtown, and those animals are certainly looking for new friends!

If you have questions about which buildings allow pets, or what pet policies are be sure to contact Brett Fine, “Your Downtown Realtor” via email brettfine@remax.net

Keep your eyes out for part 5 of this series coming to you soon!