"Shall We Take a Stroll in the Park With the Pet Stroller?"... Wealthy Residents Quietly Relocate for Their Beloved Pets [Real Estate AtoZ]

‘Pet-Friendly’ Trend Expands Among High-Income Households
Noise Complaints and Dog Bite Incidents on the Rise
Need for Improved Communal Space Design

As the number of pet owners in South Korea surpasses 15 million and pets become established as family members, the criteria for choosing a residence are also changing. Apartment complexes with easy access to green spaces, walking trails, and pet-friendly facilities are being dubbed "Pet Zones" and are emerging as a new premium in Seoul's housing market.

At the 'Songpa Pet Festival' held at the Tancheon Retention Basin Dog Playground in Songpa-gu, Seoul, pets and citizens are enjoying the event. Photo by Yonhap News

According to the real estate industry on October 8, the Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements recently published empirical analysis results on regional environmental characteristics affecting dog ownership in its academic journal "Territorial Research." This study, based on the 2022 Seoul City Urban Policy Indicator Survey, shed light on the impact of dog ownership on the housing market.

The 'Pet-Friendly' Trend Among High-Income Earners

On the 28th of last month, dogs dressed in hanbok walked the runway at the "Dog Hanbok Fashion Show" held at the Mapo Pet Camping Site in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

The study found that women with higher education levels and those living in apartments or owned homes were more likely to have dogs. In particular, the higher the average monthly household income, the greater the likelihood of pet ownership.

The research team explained, "The average monthly cost of raising a pet per household has increased by about 30,000 won from the previous year to 150,000 won," adding, "The income level of pet owners is a key factor influencing whether or not they decide to have a pet."

This means that high-income earners with strong purchasing power do not hesitate to raise dogs, and their criteria for choosing a residence are shaping a new market.

Exploding 'Complex Conflicts'... Urgent Need for Shared Space Design

However, as housing types become concentrated in apartments, conflicts are also increasing. With the rise in dog ownership within apartment complexes, there has been a surge in complaints about noise between floors and dog bite incidents. In some complexes, access to common areas is restricted, deepening the divide between pet owners and non-pet owners.

The research team pointed out, "As dog ownership increases in apartments, not only management regulations but also the design of living spaces must be implemented to ease conflicts."

Local environmental factors were also found to be a key determinant in residential choices. People were more likely to own dogs if they lived in areas with high satisfaction with green environments and good access to walking trails and open spaces.

The researchers stated, "We confirmed that not only individual characteristics but also regional characteristics affect dog ownership," adding, "This study is significant in that it goes beyond previous research focused on parks and walkways, offering a 'lifestyle-oriented' analysis that also considers access to pet-related facilities and satisfaction with the living environment."

They further noted, "Expanding green spaces and walking infrastructure, as well as ensuring pet-friendly amenities within living areas, are not just about welfare but are key elements in improving the quality of life for urban residents. These findings can be used to establish spatial planning standards for the development of future pet-friendly cities."