Hello folks who own pools
 

We are researching having a pool installed. We have the plans and a good price. My question for people who own a pool is, after a few years of owning a pool, does the luster of a pool wear off and you rarely use the pool any more? I just don't want to spend that much money and commit to weekly pool maintenance for something I could loose interest. Thanks.

I do not own a pool, but do own a hot tub. I am still using every day to every 3rd day, my wife has almost stopped using it. I have seen neighbors buy one, use for maybe 6 months, and its gone. I have also noticed some pools seem to never be used.
My point is this is a very personal issue, I am sure you will get replies on both sides of your question. We decided early on that we did not want the expense of a pool, but a large hot tub was a nice option, and if we stop using it we do not have a big hole in the ground to fill in....

We have had a pool for four days and so far we are not tired of it, but we aren't allowed in it yet. Hope we like it for a couple of months.

We owned a pool for 20 years. We used it a lot in the first couple of years, but for probably the last 15 years it was merely money wasted. Never again.

I have had a pool for the last 15 years, and though I rarely use it, I like to look at it. It takes the place of living on a lake.

We have lived in this house over 10 years. We put a pool in right away. I have to say the last few years we have not used it like we used to.

We have a pool and I use it most every day. If I had to go to the community pools to swim, I probably wouldn't.

In my prior home in Boca Raton Fl. I had a pool and used it everyday except cold weather. Living here in a completely different lifestyle I'd much rather go to the neighborhood pool and meet and talk with all the residents every day. When I leave and go home the cleaning, chemicals, pump upkeep, repairs etc will be taken care of.

Love it use it a lot, if I was to build or buy again, there must be a pool.

Since we planned to be full timers, a pool to me was essential because of the hot summers. Love jumping in to cool off and evening swims. I have solar heat but do not use it in the winter months. I wouldn't use the community pools then either. Six years and definitely would do it again.

eleven years and use it everyday except in January and February.
Never get tired of it.
The ambiance cannot be beaten.
Six, seven years out pumps and filters start to wear out. Make sure you get the latest energy efficient model pumps.

would not put in a pool again. we put one in last year

Just and additional note: we turn off the heaters on the hot tub during the summer, and use it to cool off as suggested above. The other advantage to the hot tube approach, this is on our lanai, we can use when it is raining, we can use it during the heat of the day as it is shaded.....

We'd like a pool when we join you in the next few months. We've never had a pool but picture relaxing in one at the end of the day. We'll be ready to look when I retire in 63 work days...

Ours does not have a birdcage. In the last ten years, We've had more ducks than people swimming in it.

Seldom swam in the Pool
 

I've had a pool at my house in Tampa for 40 years. I've had to re-tile it and change out the marcite for diamond bright. I've had to completely change out the sand filter once and the pool pump twice......... and I've seldom set foot in it.

Years ago we had a few pool parties, mostly for the grandchildren.

I currently have plans to heat the pool and put in a lift so I can use it for physical therapy since my spine surgery.

There are two personal pools on the very short block where I stay in The Villages. I have NEVER seen anyone using them.

In spite of all of the expense and inconvenience, I have to agree with starflyte1. It is very soothing to sit on my pool deck (screened enclosure for the pool - which I've also replaced twice) while watching the birds coming to the feeders in my back yard, and just relax.

It can also be very pretty at night to turn on the underwater light in the pool and watch the reflections of the ripples in the water.

There can be different concepts of the "use" of a pool.

We have had a pool in a previous home when our children were growing up and loved it. Once they "left the nest" we did not use it very much. Here in The Villages with a pool .2 tenths of a mile from our home and we do not have to maintain it is a much better solution. We also love to meet people and we meet lots of people at the pool and talk for sometimes hours with them. We have met some in the pool and went out to dinner with them that night. Many friendships can be born by enjoying the pool with others. I laugh at the people that say they would not use the neighborhood pools. To each his own!

I have a pool up north. Every time I stand on my deck looking down at my pool all I see are $ Bills.:wave:

One of our must haves when we built our home was a pool. We put in a fairly large one, 16x32'. We have lived here almost 3 years and We use the pool daily,,7-8 months out of the year. It is solar heated. The months we can't swim we sit by it and read or just relax. I would never have a house without a pool. Just love walking out our back doors and jumping in!

We have had our pool three years and will never be without one....It changed our home into a resort .....Get the largest you can afford and an even larger birdcage......You'll love it .....
Lloyd Bridges Fumar

Exactly as we feel. Although our pool is only 12x24 (est), there is nothing like walking out your slider right into your own private pool. Would never live in FL without owning a pool. Ours is also solar heated and we swim end of March to end of October.

We put in a pool 4 years ago.Best investment we ever made.Except for the 4 months that its cold we are in our pool every day if its sunny out.Nothing nicer then to jump in the pool after a hot day on the golf course.have no regrets what so ever in having a pool built.

I must be one of those people you laugh at. I don't use the neighborhood pools. They are great for those who like them. I like having my own pool.
I like the pool to relax and enjoy some quiet time and do a little exercising.
After 10 years, we don't use our pool as much as we did in the beginning, but I still love it. We have solar heat so we can use it longer.

The thing I like best about our pool is the space between our pool and the house. I have 10 feet of concrete deck outside the lanai to pull out chairs tables and recliners.
I have 10 chairs, 2 tables, BBQ and a tv and it doesn't feel crowded.
If I were building a pool the only change I would make is to put in a rectangular pool so I could have a motorized pool cover to keep the heat in in the winter months.

A lot of enjoyment of having a pool is how much fun visitors have splashing or lazing around. Also neighborhood pool party get togethers. And, of course, it's also nice to just enjoy it yourself.

Love the pool!
 

Moved here full time in 2012. First order of
Business was install pool & birdcage. We added
Solar heat & gas heat also. We figure it's like
Having money in bank only better! Definitely adds
Value to house. It really is nice to have private pool
we aren't comfortable going to community pools.
Maintenance isn't bad. We only vacuumed 2x a year
So far, and add salt occasionally. Solar heat
Is great, and with the option to turn on the gas heater
Is always a plus. I also designed the pool with a nice
Swim platform on one side, a seat opposite the 3
Waterfalls, and the steps extra long for sitting.
Good luck w/your decision.

Anyone have problems with hairline cracks around pool and deck and if so, what did you
do about it?

No one has addressed the dog issue. Will my two dogs be constantly jumping into the pool, then coming in to the house wet? Is there a solution to that problem?

My 14-pound terrior mix dog shows no interest in the pool even when we are in it. We did not ever encourage her to get in.

We are completing a pool right now. I am glad you say you use yours.

I really value your opinion. I am sorry I was insensitive on a thread about plant based diets. I have felt bad since.

I will try to do better. You deserve better.

We had our pool when we built the house four years ago. Also put in a hot tub! Glad we did!
Use them both all the time. T & D did a great job! Also have their service. They do an excellent job!

Have a pool and live in it during the summer

We love ours, our children and grandchildren enjoy it when they visit. I wouldn't want to live in Florida without one.

I have had three pools over the last 30 years. The first pool we used everyday, kids were younger and friends were always at our home which was great. The second pool we used about 50% of the time and needless to say the third pool looked great without use. I would not have a pool here in TV as it is a much different lifestyle and the community pools are great to exercise, swim and meet people without the cost and maintenance. Good luck.

Prior to living in TV we had a pool. It was great when our child was young, Once she went away to college and got married, the pool was not used. Our goal when purchasing in the TV was to use the wonderful amenities and reduce our maintenance responsibilities. I think we made a good choice. Plus by using the pools in our village, we have met some wonderful people.

BUT, you can't skinny dip in the community pools......or lounge on a mat in the cool water soaking up the sunshine....

We love our pool and would miss it terribly if we could not replace it in our new home.