Yes, Teak at the Branch is a reasonable apartment to consider if you are looking for pet-friendly apartments near SMU with washer dryer hookups. The community states that Southern Methodist University is approximately 3 miles away, it welcomes pets subject to its policy, and its apartments include full-size washer and dryer connections, which is the key feature many renters are trying to confirm before they tour.
That said, the useful question is not just whether those boxes are checked. If SMU is your destination, you should also think about how often you need to be on campus, whether you are bringing a dog or a cat, whether you need laundry equipment to fit in the unit, and whether the specific home you lease includes the pet-friendly and in-home features that matter most to your routine.
What “near SMU” really means for a renter
SMU sits in University Park, just north of central Dallas, and much of student and university activity clusters around the main campus near Mockingbird Lane and Hillcrest Avenue. A listing can be close in straight-line terms but still feel very different depending on whether you need daily access to classrooms, labs, libraries, or evening events. That is why it helps to map your actual building on campus, not just “SMU” as a general landmark.
Teak at the Branch says SMU is about 3 miles away, which places it in the broader east Dallas area that many renters consider when they want access to campus without living directly beside it. For some households, that can be a good middle ground: close enough for routine trips, but not necessarily tied to the exact traffic, parking, and campus-edge patterns you would get in the blocks immediately surrounding the university.
Your schedule changes the value of that distance. If you only go to campus a few times a week, being a few miles away may feel simple. If you need to be there early in the morning, return midday, or stay late for rehearsals, teaching, research, or graduate work, you should test the trip at the times you actually travel. Dallas traffic patterns around major corridors can change the feel of a short distance very quickly.
A good verification step is to check the route from 4601 Amesbury Drive to the specific SMU destination that matters most to you, then compare driving, rideshare, biking, and transit options in real time. If you rely on campus parking, also review SMU parking rules and permit details directly with the university, because parking access can shape your housing decision as much as mileage does.
How pet policy and laundry setup affect day-to-day life
For pet owners, “pet-friendly” can mean very different things from one community to another. At Teak at the Branch, the stated policy allows dogs and cats, with a maximum of two pets per apartment home. The community also notes a non-refundable pet fee of $400 per pet and monthly pet rent of $30 per pet, and it says breed and weight restrictions may apply, so those details should be confirmed before you apply.
On-site pet features matter because they change the daily routine, especially if your class schedule keeps you away for long stretches. Teak at the Branch lists both a pet park and a pet spa, which can be especially useful if you have a dog that needs regular exercise space or cleanup after walks. Those amenities do not replace nearby neighborhood walking options, but they can reduce the hassle of basic pet care on busy weekdays.
The laundry point is more specific and often more important than renters expect. The community lists full-size washer and dryer connections in its apartments, which means you can confirm whether your own machines will fit or whether you will need to buy or rent appliances. Hookups are different from an in-unit washer and dryer being automatically provided, so asking exactly what comes with the apartment is worth doing before you sign.
If laundry setup is a non-negotiable part of your routine, ask to see the actual connection area in the specific home you are considering. Measure for appliance fit, ask whether the hookups are electric, and confirm whether the unit includes enough space for full-size machines and storage. For households balancing coursework, work, and pet care, in-home laundry is not just a nice extra, it can meaningfully reduce weekly time spent off-site.
What to confirm before you choose a specific apartment
Once a community clears the first test, meaning it allows pets and offers washer and dryer connections, the next step is making sure the exact apartment supports how you live. Teak at the Branch offers one- and two-bedroom floor plans, and the listed options range from smaller one-bedroom layouts such as the A2 at 605 square feet to larger one-bedrooms and a two-bedroom option such as the B3 at 1,177 square feet. That range matters if you need space for a roommate, pet supplies, a desk, or laundry baskets and storage.
Interior details can also change how functional the apartment feels for an SMU-adjacent routine. The community lists walk-in closets, ceiling fans, stainless steel appliances, and hard-surface flooring, plus private balconies or yards in select homes. If you have a pet, a select private yard may be especially relevant, but because it is not standard in every home, you should ask whether the specific apartment you want includes it.
It is also worth checking the parts of the community that support school or work life beyond the apartment itself. Teak at the Branch lists a business center with PCs, an entertainment lounge with wi-fi, and a wellness center, which may be useful if you need backup workspace or a place to reset between classes and errands. Those are secondary benefits, not substitutes for location, but they can make the home more workable if you spend substantial time studying or working remotely.
The final step is a practical one: contact the leasing office and ask a short, topic-specific list of questions. Confirm the current pet restrictions for your animal, whether the exact home has full-size washer and dryer connections, whether any select features you care about are included, and what the current availability is for the floor plan that fits your routine. If the combination looks right on paper, schedule a visit and test the trip to SMU before or after the tour so you can judge the location on a normal day, not just on a map.