[Ohiogirl]

Hey, I think if you can afford to build and maintain your own, why not? If nothing else, it's a beautiful place to entertain, even if you don't really use it much. For most of us here, this is the last place we will ever live, except perhaps for the "home." I say go for it if you can comfortably afford it. I think the very biggest financial factor in retirement (at least for me) is to be able to afford your lifestyle, whatever that may be. Buy only what you can afford. End of lecture.

As far as actually using the pools once you live here, I would say it just depends on the user. Ohioboy is a real swimmer, actually enjoys swimming 1 mile (at a time)! in the Sports pools and also likes to go for a dip on a warm or hot day at the adult pool. I probably go more often than I would if I lived by myself, just because he likes to go.

I am one of those that gets in the pool mostly to cool off, although when it gets hot starting in April I will sometimes go to a pool exercise class. People chat in our pool, but usually in one corner or another, and there is always a quiet spot. Seems to clear out around Happy Hour time and we often have the pool to ourselves then. I don't go at all unless it's about 78 degrees or higher. And, I do agree, the longer I am here the busier I am with other stuff. Probably also makes a difference that we are a 5 minute walk or a 2 minute cart ride from ours, and only 10 minutes from 1 sports pool and 15 minutes or less to 2 others.