Remote work allows employees to ditch their suits for sweatpants and gives them the opportunity to clock in from home or from anywhere they go. Last year, the number of people who stopped reporting to an office every day nearly doubled, and half of the people who adopted this new practice also adopted a pet to keep them company. These pet-friendly cities offer plenty of remote employment opportunities, personal workspaces, and a great quality of WFH (wag from home) life for dogs and their owners seeking new places to wake up to work.
Top Cities for Remote Working With Your Dog
Posted by Billy Francis
Atlanta, GA
With a thriving job market, high quality of life, and a notorious commute that most employees are only too happy to avoid, Atlanta is an excellent choice for remote workers. Super-fast internet throughout Georgia’s capital means remote workers who are on the road can stay plugged in from one of ATL’s many affordable pet-friendly Airbnbs. While you finish off that dreaded spreadsheet, grab a latte with your Labrador at one of the city’s welcoming pet-friendly coffee shops. Remote workers who miss office camaraderie can get their fix at one of the city’s pet-friendly coworking spaces, like Strongbox West.
One of the best parts of working from anywhere is experiencing a new place after you clock out. Take Fido for a hike with your hound on Atlanta’s BeltLine, a dog-friendly walking connection to all of the best corners of the city. Fetch Park is a unique dog park located just off the trail that features a 1976 Airstream converted into a full-service bar. It even has internet access if you need to check your email.
While you decide if you’re going to stick around a while, Hotel Indigo Atlanta Midtown provides a central hub with free WiFi.
Austin, TX
If you and your pooch promise to “Keep Austin Weird,” Austinites welcome you both to work remotely in the Texas capital. Dubbed as one of the nation’s “Zoomtowns” for the number of remote workers who have flocked there from Silicon Valley and New York, Austin recently added Tesla to the list of tech giants who now call it home. The absence of a state income tax, coupled with mild winters and expansive suburbs, make Austin a remote work paradise for people and pups who’ve been cooped up in cramped city apartments.
On your next visit, be sure to check out Work & Woof, which combines the fun of an indoor dog park with the convenience of a coworking space. A trained professional watches over furry friends during the day, allowing you to stay on track with your work tasks.
Crunch the numbers or draft an email at one of the city’s hotspots with attached dog parks like Neighbors or the Yard Bar. After work, meet other newcomers enjoying walks at Zilker Botanical Gardens and Red Bud Isle. When it’s time to eat, make Fido drool with a visit to Leroy And Lewis Barbecue.
Get a taste of life in Austin at this affordable pet-friendly bungalow. After office hours, you can chill out at the newly renovated Airstream trailer in your backyard.
Greenville, SC
Greenville is another midsize destination that’s attracting people from big cities who aim to keep their high-salary jobs but want to spend less on rent and living costs. With its beautiful and walkable downtown, the jewel of the Upstate is more than happy to accommodate newcomers. Before making the move permanent, get the scoop from other working canines at Comradery Co-Work, where dogs are accepted on an invitation basis.
Start your work day on the Swamp Rabbit Trail, a 22-mile recreation path that winds through Greenville. "Paws” for a coffee break along the trail and log on using the free WiFi at the Swamp Rabbit Cafe. Hit send on that email and keep walking until you reach Falls Park on the Reedy, where you and your pooch can cross the Liberty Bridge and admire the dramatic waterfall from above. If you still need to check in with the boss, set up your laptop inside The Commons, where dogs are allowed indoors. Humans can log on and help themselves to tasty pints, morning Joe, and tasty treats from the coffee shop and bakery on-site.
Aloft Greenville Downtown is a good place to start your Upstate adventure. The most popular pet-friendly hotel in town is ideally situated for access to the city’s many pet-friendly coffee shops.
Cincinnati, OH
Cincinnati is a midwestern mecca for the traveling workforce. The Queen City has an affordable average monthly rent of around $900, fiber-optic internet, and an abundance of remote working opportunities for people looking to switch careers when they get to town.
Leave the house for a change of scenery at COhatch. This coworking spot allows dogs in private offices with prior approval. You can also get down to work at Urbana Cafe, and order a doggie biscuit for your canine coworker. If you’re not bored of staring at screens by the time Friday rolls around, Fido can cheer you on as you try to beat the high score on more than 50 classic arcade games at 16-Bit Bar + Arcade. On the weekend, treat your Terrier to a day of play at Otto Armleder Dog Park. This 10-acre fenced space is the “pawfect” place for him to let off steam before being the star of video calls on Monday.
With an average nightly price of $60, this pet-friendly condo is an affordable place to stay in the city’s business district.
Phoenix, AZ
Pack Fido’s doggy bag and your laptop and make a move to Phoenix. Offering solid internet speeds, low costs of living and pet-friendly coworking spaces like CO+HOOTS Coworking, the Valley of the Sun is a dream destination for digital nomads and their dogs. Sample the city’s best coffee with your best friend by your side, or find a relaxing work setting at Bookmans Entertainment Exchange.
On weekends, leave the stress of deadlines behind and take your pooch for a hike at South Mountain Park and Preserve. Afterwards, head to O.H.S.O Eatery and Nanobrewery for homemade treats for both of you. They also offer free WiFi if you really need to check your emails. During baseball season, don’t forget to plan a field trip to the PetSmart Patio at Chase Field, home to the very dog-friendly Arizona Diamondbacks.
You’ll find everything you need for a flexible workplace at La Quinta Inn & Suites Phoenix Chandler.
Pittsburgh, PA
Traveling for work? Be sure to add a pit stop in Pittsburgh to your itinerary. People and pups are making the move to Steel City because the cost of living is lower than other major Northeastern cities. Plus, there’s an abundance of open remote positions offered by tech and robotics companies for those who prefer a hybrid work model. Bring your dog along to Code & Supply, where Fido can nap while you draft your latest design.
For an afternoon pick-me-up, head to Big Dog Coffee. Afterward, reward your best friend for a week of hard work with a trip to Petagogy, where you can spend your hard-earned cash on high-end food and designer swag for your Spaniel. She can show off her new look at Hartwood Acres County Dog Park among the city’s canine crowd.
Find seclusion in the city at this cozy Lawrenceville Row house. This groovy home is within walking distance of the numerous pet-friendly restaurants where you can enjoy a working lunch.
Seattle, WA
Seattle is the tech hub of the Pacific Northwest. Big companies like Amazon, Tableau and Zulily call the Emerald City home, which is partly why it has adapted so well to remote work. In fact, 80% of Emerald City tech workers surveyed expect to remain at least partly remote post-pandemic. ThinkSpace is one of the city’s many coworking spaces that welcomes hard-working hounds. Seattle takes the phrase “work from anywhere” literally by offering free WiFi to the public around the city, including the South Fountain Lawn at the Seattle Center, where your dog can enjoy the expansive green space and accompany you to the nearby Poetry Garden for creative inspiration.
After an afternoon of hard work at the Seattle Center, dogs and their owners can hop on the monorail to see the sights from above. If Fido wants to play during office hours, head to Dogwood Play Park, one of the best indoor dog parks in the country. Afterwards, have a business lunch with your best friend of cod sticks, bacon nuggets or a bacon pupcake from the dog menu at Norm’s Eatery & Ale House. Finish your day at Bark! Espresso, where you can write a proposal and Fido can sip on a peanut butter latte brewed specially for pooches.
Get a taste of Seattle’s remote work-life balance with a stay at the pet-friendly Hotel Max. This boutique hotel even offers guests a free beer at check-in.
Tampa, FL
Tampa loves telecommuters. One of the fastest growing cities in Florida, LinkedIn ranks the Gulf city as third in the country for applications to remote positions. People passing through and new residents are drawn to its year-round sunny weather, miles of sandy beaches and a lively food and entertainment scene. Tampa is also one of the most pet-friendly cities in the U.S., making it an ideal destination for remote human and canine coworkers.
Set up in the sun for a day of work at one of Tampa’s pet-friendly coffee shops with free WiFi. After a long work week, wind down at one of the city’s many pet-friendly bars and breweries, like Pups Pub or Two Shepherds Taproom. Then, head to Davis Island Dog Park and learn why so many people with dogs are moving to this part of the Sunshine State. After sunset, soak up the atmosphere along the Tampa Riverwalk together.
Thinking of giving Tampa a try? Book a stay at this modern home just minutes from downtown. After he logs off for the day, Fido will love wandering off-leash around the fenced backyard of this comfy home away from home (and the office).
If you want to join the remote work revolution and love dogs, check out BringFido’s open remote positions.
Where do you love to work with your dog? Leave a comment or tweet us @BringFido!
Banner photo by Unsplashed/AylaVerschuer.