To Pool or not to Pool?

[vonbork]

Hi everyone. After a number of visits to TV we're finally ready to pull the plug. A few of the houses we're interested in have pools which seems to us as desirable. Some people we've talked to say pools are great with the ability to take a dip whenever you want and use it privately for therapeutic purposes. Others say pools are money pits with constant maintenance and repairs, and that there are always pools nearby so why bother, especially with the additional initial cost of the house. We know it's a personal decision when considering the amount of use it would get, but any experiences would be welcome. Thanks!

[billethkid]

NOTHING beats having your own pool in your back yard.

We do not measure it in terms of how often we use it. It is in constant use, visually and sound wise. Changes the whole outlook and ambiance.

There are many more things we do in life that cost a lot more than a pool.

There is no way one can rationalize that there are plenty of pools around....nothing beats stepping out the door into yours!!!! NOTHING!!!

In my humble unbiased opinion (with a pool and hot tub for the last 30 years).

[graciegirl]

NOTHING beats having your own pool in your back yard.

We do not measure it in terms of how often we use it. It is in constant use, visually and sound wise. Changes the whole outlook and ambiance.

There are many more things we do in life that cost a lot more than a pool.

There is no way one can rationalize that there are plenty of pools around....nothing beats stepping out the door into yours!!!! NOTHING!!!

In my humble unbiased opinion (with a pool and hot tub for the last 30 years).

This is our first one and I so agree. Sometimes I can't believe I am so lucky.

[spring_chicken]

Wouldn't consider giving mine up. I have been to a villages pool 1 time and after loading my stuff on the cart and driving to the pool I got stung by a wasp as I was sitting there watching a man with an open, oozing wound swimming around in a speedo.
No thanks.

[Kahuna32162]

Absolutely POOL, would not live in Florida without one. We have T&D do all the maintenance weekly and use it almost daily. Have never been to a neighborhood pool, but we participate in activities like aerobics and water Volleyball at the sports pools. My opinion is that it is cheaper to find a resale with a pool already installed, then the cost and time to have one built.

[pbkmaine]

We bought a house with a pool at my husband’s insistence. He was right - we use it almost every day from May-November. There is nothing more refreshing in the heat of a Florida summer than jumping in the pool.

[Chi-Town]

Nice comfortable raft and a floating drink holder. Can't enjoy that at a community pool.

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[JimC55]

Been here 3 years. Put a pool and summer kitchen in this year. Wish I had bought one with it already there. Construction costs and the mess it creates afterwards is a bit much. Buy one with a pool and outdoor kitchen. You will love it.


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[Braddock]

Have pool 15x30 and summer kitchen with 60 pound tanks. Summer kitchen would not do again.
Pool is a must. I’m in it everyday!
Worth every dollar.
T&D maintains every week.

[villagetinker]

One opposing opinion, we went with a hot tub, I have the heat on for 9 months, and heat OFF during the summer July, August, October,and use it to cool off. It typically stays around 80 to 85 degrees during the summer. We have the Hot tub in the lanai, making it usable year round and even during a rain storm, however not when lightning is present. The water jets and air bubbles are great for aches and pains. We figured after the initial joy of the pool, we would not use it much. I think we were right, in over 4 years here, I have not yet used the local pool, and my wife has only used it a few times. The hot tub gets used 3 to 4 times per week.

[Debfrommaine]

Sent you a PM

[Rwirish]

when there are 70 plus pools in TV.

Despite comments here, I have been told over and over again by many pool owners that they seldom use their pool ( after the initial excitement ) and they are a waste of money.

[Chatbrat]

Just like a Jacuzzi--used it a few times, when the novelty wears off, never used again--same goes for in house exercise equipment

[Bay Kid]

If I lived in TVs year round I would have my own pool for sure!

[bilcon]

We have a pool and have spent a total of $300 for some repairs over a nine year period. We love it and the sound of waterfalls. Just installed a new stamped concrete pool deck. It is beautiful, and was done by Go Concrete. Sorry, I would never have a hot tub because of medical problems, and I feel it is a breeding ground for germs. I know, a personal one is usually cleaned properly.

[OhioBuckeye]

Interesting comments. We don't have a pool on because my wife & I never really swam anyway. So I guess the best thing to do is listen to what these people have to say. Pools are really nice but I do agree I don't want the extra expense & paying for extra Ins. to have a pool. If you have the extra money go for it! But you know the people that are excited about having a pool would say how great a pool is, & maybe they are. But think about your income, I would think that would be the biggest issue. Good luck & I hope you get your pool if that's what you want.:pepper2:

[JSR22]

We have a pool that is solar heated and it use 10 months of the year. It was built 4 years ago and we use it all the time. Not expensive to maintain. We bought our house based on a yard that we could have a pool.

[terinbob]

We love our pool. We struggled a bit as you are now about if we would really use the pool as time went on. Well, we bought a heat pump and we heat the pool year round. There is hardly a day that goes by that one of us is not in the pool. We love it for exercise, cooling off and also a relaxing feel outdoors. We also installed a tether that enables me to swim in place. A very inexpensive solution to getting great exercise. Ours is a salt water pool. We care for it ourselves (Pinch a Penny for free water testing) and that is super easy to do. Also, it does not require a lot of chemicals like a traditional pool.

[tomwed]

I have an interior lot. And the only thing I could fit was a salt water slip and slide. Except for the occasional broken hip, it's not that bad.

[John_W]

If you're buying a CYV with a fenced backyard or one of the new Veranda homes with a fence, even though your pool would be legal without a birdcase, I would still have a birdcage. When I lived in Pensacola and had a pool, no one there had a birdcage, no one even built them. They just are not done in the panhandle of Florida, fenced yards are the norm. In my three years of owning that home, I found a water moccasin, he was coiled up in the skimmer when I lifted the lid off with my finger, that was a real surprise. Also a frozen squirrel or two in the bottom of the pool, critters are attracted to the water regardless of the chlorine.

[VillageIdiots]

My wife and I had this same question. Ultimately, we decided not to focus so much on the pool because we didn't want to end up buying a pool with a house attached to it that we didn't care for. But we made sure that any house we considered had room to add at least a small pool if it didn't already have a pool and that's where we wound up. We bought a house we love, in a location we love, with a view we love, and a pool can be added down the road if we want one. If you go this route, though, do your own due diligence, or at least make sure TV does the proper due diligence to make absolutely sure a pool can be added. If they just look around and say yes, a pool "should" fit, that's not a good enough answer. They have access to T&D resources that can take the lot number of the property and do a "blue print" drawing of that property with a pool and verify that the dimensions will allow for the pool. The pool they draw doesn't have to end up being what you get, but the dimensions will show what your constraints are if a pool would even be allowed at all (in other words, if they show a 22x10 kidney shaped pool on the drawing, it doesn't mean you have to put in a kidney shaped pool, but whatever you put in would have to fit that same area, or less). Often, when the newer spec homes are built, they automatically put in stretches, etc. to maximize usage of the given lot and it doesn't leave room for a pool when you factor in the required setbacks to the property lines.

When you add a pool after the purchase, you'll likely have to get in line and wait a few months before construction starts. And, your yard will be a wreck while it's going on. And they aren't cheap, but it will likely be cheaper than buying the pool already built - or you may at least get some niceties that you wouldn't have had for the same money (i.e. heater, etc.).

[tophcfa]

We love our pool. There is hardly a day that goes by that one of us is not in the pool. We love it for exercise, cooling off and also a relaxing feel outdoors. We also installed a tether that enables me to swim in place. A very inexpensive solution to getting great exercise. Ours is a salt water pool. Also, it does not require a lot of chemicals like a traditional pool.

The above post sounds like us. Also installed a teather so we can swim and walk in place. Not the same as lap swimming but still very good exercise. I still go to the sports pools often to swim laps. A quick 20 minute swim on the teather is a great way to loosen up before a round of golf. Also, we never realized how goog a workout one can get using the water resistance dumbells. We use solar heat for most of the year but have to run a heat pump for a couple of months during the winter. We are part time residents so we have T&D do the weekly maintenance. We use the pool multiple times just about every day we are in the Villages. At night we spend hours in the pool with the waterfalls running and the underwater LED lights on. Since we had our pool built, we almost never turn on the television.

[Cedwards38]

Neighborhood pools are a great place to meet people, and someone else does the work of taking care of it, and there is no additional expense. I'm gonna say "no pool."

[vintageogauge]

Neighborhood pools are a great place to meet people, and someone else does the work of taking care of it, and there is no additional expense. I'm gonna say "no pool."

That part is true, neighborhood pools are more social and no doubt cheaper but they really aren't the same in comparison. We don't have a pool, not that i'm against them but I don't feel we would get enough use out of one and if the time ever comes it might even make it harder to sell the home to some buyers that might otherwise like the house. It also could make it easier to sell the house. It just boils down to do you want your own pool with the additional cost and expense or do you not.

[My Post]

What % of TV houses have pools I wonder..

[champion6]

<snip> We also installed a tether that enables me to swim in place. A very inexpensive solution to getting great exercise. <snip>

<snip> Also installed a tether so we can swim and walk in place. Not the same as lap swimming but still very good exercise. I still go to the sports pools often to swim laps. A quick 20 minute swim on the tether is a great way to loosen up before a round of golf. <snip>We also have a pool and use it to exercise. What is this tether you mentioned? I'm interested in learning more about it. Where did you get it?

[Dan9871]

We also have a pool and use it to exercise. What is this tether you mentioned? I'm interested in learning more about it. Where did you get it?

Search the web for swim tether and you will find a lot of them... here is one from Amazon:

Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Swim Tether Low-Impact Stationary Swimming Exercise Belt for Pools and Swim Spas (https://www.amazon.com/Swim-Tether-Low-Impact-Stationary-Swimming/product-reviews/B003OXLDY2)

[tophcfa]

We also have a pool and use it to exercise. What is this tether you mentioned? I'm interested in learning more about it. Where did you get it?

Look up superswim.com. I will be at our Villages home in early June. PM me if you want to stop by and check it out.

[BCEagle78]

We moved to The Villages from the Orlando area. We had a pool at our previous house where we lived for 27 years. For the first 7 years, we used the pool several times each week, during the spring, summer and fall months. Then we started using it less and less. About year 10, the pool started to need some expensive updates. It needed to be resurfaced, the pump and related plumbing needed to be replaced. The deck around the pool deteriorated due to constant exposure to chlorine. It was starting to cost a lot for something that we rarely used. When we retired in 2016, our home search in The Villages included the requirement, make sure there is no pool. The novelty of having a house with a pool didn't last for us. We now enjoy our neighborhood pool on the occasion that we feel the urge to be near a pool.

[PoolBrews]

I grew up in Michigan - installed a pool and had it for 20 years - moved to Georgia - installed a pool and enjoyed it for the 8 years I was there. I love pools - love being able to walk outside the door and going in - love the privacy of your own pool. These are all the positives. Also, contrary to popular belief, if you have a salt water pool, maintenance is EASY. I have always done this myself. Very little effort.

I moved to The Villages and, for the first time in 30 years, I don't have a pool. I have room for one - and may add one one day, but have to consider the following.


Your taxes will go up - significantly - for as long as you have the pool. When on a fixed income, this can be a huge negative.
You home insurance will go up - again, significantly - for the time you keep the pool.
Your homes resale value will not go up nearly as much as you think - you will never recover the investment. Make sure you are buying the pool for YOU!
Equipment will need to be replaced regularly - figure on ~$2,000 every 3-4 years if you do it yourself - ~$4,000 if you pay someone to fix it.
The pool surface will require resurfacing - in Florida it will probably be in ~10-12 years.
Plumbing WILL age, crack and eventually leak. This may mean tearing up concrete and resurfacing again.
If you go with a chlorine pool (my 1st pool was chlorine, 2nd was salt) be prepared to spend ~$200/month for chemicals. My salt pool was typically ~$300/YEAR.


Personally, I LOVED having my own pool... but since my new home is only 1 block from the pool, I'll see how that works out first.

[patfla06]

When we lived in Tampa we had a pool, built-in hot tub, and summer kitchen.

I am the swimmer in the family.

Our one requirement when looking for a house here was NO POOL.

The people behind us who all put in pools never use their pool after year 1.

I think the answer is what does a pool mean to you.
If it is your dream go for it.

[justjim]

I grew up in Michigan - installed a pool and had it for 20 years - moved to Georgia - installed a pool and enjoyed it for the 8 years I was there. I love pools - love being able to walk outside the door and going in - love the privacy of your own pool. These are all the positives. Also, contrary to popular belief, if you have a salt water pool, maintenance is EASY. I have always done this myself. Very little effort.

I moved to The Villages and, for the first time in 30 years, I don't have a pool. I have room for one - and may add one one day, but have to consider the following.


Your taxes will go up - significantly - for as long as you have the pool. When on a fixed income, this can be a huge negative.
You home insurance will go up - again, significantly - for the time you keep the pool.
Your homes resale value will not go up nearly as much as you think - you will never recover the investment. Make sure you are buying the pool for YOU!
Equipment will need to be replaced regularly - figure on ~$2,000 every 3-4 years if you do it yourself - ~$4,000 if you pay someone to fix it.
The pool surface will require resurfacing - in Florida it will probably be in ~10-12 years.
Plumbing WILL age, crack and eventually leak. This may mean tearing up concrete and resurfacing again.
If you go with a chlorine pool (my 1st pool was chlorine, 2nd was salt) be prepared to spend ~$200/month for chemicals. My salt pool was typically ~$300/YEAR.


Personally, I LOVED having my own pool... but since my new home is only 1 block from the pool, I'll see how that works out first.

Irvalley you are spot on regarding the pros and cons of having a pool. We had pools in our younger days and using them about 3 or 4 months a year it was great for the kids during the summer. Ambiance is the main draw for a pool in my opinion. :beer3: From our experence when selling a home with a pool, it is more difficult to draw potential buyers. Bottom line, it all boils down to a personal decision. Good luck.....

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Everyone is different of course. As for me, I don't see the hassle and work of having your own pool as worth it when there are so many great pools here.

Also, if you like to swim, most of the private pools that I see are too small.

[Arlington2]

We previously had a pool in Fl for over 20 years. When the kids left the pool was rarely used except to cool off after mowing the lawn. Kids aren't at home and I don't mow the lawn anymore. It was aesthetically pleasing, but a lot of maintenance and a money hole. When we moved an absolute must was NO POOL!!!

[Bavarian]

You also need to realize that not all Villages have Family Pools nearby. Often a private Pool is the only way to go.

[TimeForChange]

I see people building these little bath tub size pools one block from the neighborhood pool. What do you do in a pool that small? You cannot do laps so is it just for soaking? Perhaps skinny dipping? If I want to swim I will go to a pool where I can.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

You also need to realize that not all Villages have Family Pools nearby. Often a private Pool is the only way to go.

What do you consider nearby? To me pretty much everything in The Villages is nearby.

[Lottoguy]

Had a pool up north. Would not look at a house with a pool here in The Villages. You get tired really fast at the upkeep. I think you will become less sociable with a pool at your house. If you want to have a swim just jump in your golf cart. Let them maintain the pool while you enjoy it with no hassle.

[jebartle]

After many pools in our past, we use our Chula Vista pool daily.
Fellowship is wonderful. We call our group the Cocoon. Best of all, the Villages does the maintenance. Maintenance on our spa was $80 in power alone, plus charge from t & d pool was additional $50. Life in paradise is great!

[Chatbrat]

We had an "endless pool" in NC, totally enclosed heated and ventilated for year round use--the Admiral would open, the sliders from the master bedroom and swim @ her leisure--I was " the pool boy" , cleaned it and did all the chemistry--since she swims @ least a mile every day--she lives in several sports pools after, tennis and or pickle ball-

IMHO -no need to have your own pool here, especially if you're a swimmer

[photo1902]

I thoroughly enjoy our pool, and wouldn't trade it for a second. Being saltwater, there is very little maintenance involved. Weekly or bi-weekly vacuuming, and you're done. About the only thing I add is a cup or two of muriatic acid once a week to keep the pH from climbing. As far as other posters complaining about the "hassle" of maintaining a pool, I feel just the opposite.

Even during the cold time of year when we might not be getting in the pool, I couldn't imagine not being able to sit poolside with a cup of coffee and watch the beautiful blue water.

Pools are not for everyone, but there is simply no comparison between having your own pool and having to use a community pool.

[graciegirl]

This is our first pool to own.

Someone told me that part of the pleasure is living with it beside you and that person was right. It is so nice to sit in the morning with a cup of coffee and have the sun sparkle on the water and look through the screen enclosure to see the nicely trimmed bushes and trees that Sweetie maintains by the sweat of his brow.

It is lovely at night to sit with the pool lights on and enjoy company and some cool drinks and conversation.

And I am not an athlete and I can swim in the pool. Enough to raise my heart rate and make me feel as if I exercised. I like floating and watching the airplanes waaaay up there fly over and seeing the pretty blue sky and the clouds.

Sometimes I just can't believe how nice it is to have a pool.

[dotti105]

We had a beautiful large pool when our kids were growing up in Clearwater, Fl. It was used daily, except in very cold weather. Hubby and I loved taking a dip after the kids were in bed to share our thoughts of the day and wind down for the night. We loved our pool!
But, when we moved here we did t once consider a pool. We were thrilled with the neighborhood pool around the corner. I guess we go at off hours. Most often we are the only ones there. We find that we share our thoughts of our day and wind down for the night, AND someone else does the maintenance and it is always lovely!
We opted for a fabulous view instead and that, never grows old.
Different strokes for different folks, and for different stages in our lives too, I guess.
Our neighbors who have pools do not seem to use them frequently. They enjoy their pools and the atmosphere it provides and so they are happy.
If it’s a priority to you then go for it!!
Good luck to you in finding your perfect home!

[Nucky]

If your thinking about it then do it. You only get one shot at this life so let 'er rip. Best to enjoy before its R.I.P. I thought I found a Courtyard Villa with a pool several weeks back and it was gone before I got the ball rolling with negotiating. You got a whole lot of great advice. You'll figure it out. No more skinny dipping here. Sorry to say its now chunky dunking. :pepper2:

[Retiring]

I like pools. They look cool, literally and figuratively. But I will not have a pool for maintenance and liability reasons, or maybe I’m just too lazy. However, after reading Grace’s last post, I’m on the fence.

[Henryk]

My husband and I had a pool in Massachusetts. It was fun when the kids visited, and we did get a good amount of use out of it. However, it was a LOT of work.

When we moved to Provincetown, we had just as much enjoyment from an outdoor shower (with hot and cold water). Private, of course.

[photo1902]

My husband and I had a pool in Massachusetts. It was fun when the kids visited, and we did get a good amount of use out of it. However, it was a LOT of work.

When we moved to Provincetown, we had just as much enjoyment from an outdoor shower (with hot and cold water). Private, of course.

I vacuum mine once every few weeks, and add a little muriatic acid every week to keep the pH in check. Other than that (it's a salt water pool) the maintenance is minimal.