[ribil]

From our recent Lifestyle visit and countless hours on the computer, we have narrowed our choice to a Lily or a Lantana with a golf cart garage. we are told the Lantana requires an over sized lot while the Lily fits on a standard 60 X 90. Originally, we wanted a pool, but with a neighborhood pool close by in any direction, we're thinking we may not want to bother with our own. I'm sure there are plenty of TV'rs who went through all these questions before choosing. I'd be interested in hearing your stories.
As you would guess, we are in the process of purging our belongings to get our NJ house on the market as quickly as possible. We can't wait to get there.

[Cateca]

After viewing about 18 new and "used" homes with and without pools, we bought a pre-owned Lantana with a 35' X 16' pool, and EVERY DAY we thank our lucky stars for having led us to the "with pool" decision. We're able to have very, very private times in the water and to go swimming at night. Additionally, the pool makes the view towards the back of the house so much more beautiful.

Look at the pre owned homes with pools and try to find one with a rather private backyard. We found that the new homes were too close together and had neighbors' lanais within spitting distance. Good luck!

[l2ridehd]

Have one of each and for all the reasons stated above, get the pool. It adds so much to your lifestyle there. I added a solar and gas heater to mine, keep it at 85 to 88 degrees all year and use it every day we are there year round.

[Freeda]

We always had a pool at our home in Kentucky, and I thought I would always want one. We don't have a pool here, and I couldn't be happier. We are loving going to the country club pools, especially, although the neighborhood and other pools are all terrific. We have met alot of people just by going to the pools, as each pool has its 'regulars'.

I especially love the freedom from responsibility of caring for a pool; and since we travel quite a bit, this is one less concern when we are gone.

I also love that going to the pools, which we do many of the mid-days/afternoons here, gets us out meeting others or socializing with our friends in a convenient, carefree way. We meet up with friends frequently at Hacienda Hills pool, for example, and from there often go have dinner together at a casual place (or meet for lunch, then go to the pool).

We like the live entertainment that some of the country club pools have on weekends and holidays; also, the tiki bars adds atmosphere plus the convenience of a margarita when desired. All in all, what I like about going out to the pools, rather than using a pool at home, is that it adds to the 'being on vacation at a resort' feel that is so wonderful here.

[starflyte1]

We have a small pool with three "spouts" and love it. It gives our lanai a cooler feel, even on the hottest day. We don't use it much for swimming, but like having the water around.

[Avista]

I would vote NO POOL. We lived in Tampa for 20 years with a pool, cage etc. Never again. We were so happy to get rid of it. For one thing, your community pool is where you will meet a lot of friends. We love going to our community pool. We have no upkeep, they keep the chemicals right, in the winter it is heated.

We would never buy a home with a pool again. Our pool is a golfcart ride away.

[rjm1cc]

If costs is of no concern go ahead and get the pool. If you will be maintaing it on your own then remember that the sweeping, adding chemicals etc. will go on for as long as you are at the home.

[Snowbirdtobe]

My wife and I resolved the pool issue on cleanliness.
She was unhappy with the cleanliness of the community pools and rest rooms. I was reluctant to spend the extra money with so many community pools in the area. We conducted a survey of pools (5) and decided to purchase a pool home.
Background:
My wife is an RN and has worked in a Boston hospital for 30 years. She is not a clean freak but careful.
I'm an electrical engineer and wanted facts.
We close on the house Aug 16th.
*

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Snowbirdtobe

My wife and I resolved the pool issue on cleanliness.
She was unhappy with the cleanliness of the community pools and rest rooms. I was reluctant to spend the extra money with so many community pools in the area. We conducted a survey of pools (5) and decided to purchase a pool home.
Background:
My wife is an RN and has worked in a Boston hospital for 30 years. She is not a clean freak but careful.
I'm an electrical engineer and wanted facts.
We close on the house Aug 16th.
*

WELCOME to you snowbird to be. I hope you enjoy every second of a thousand years in Paradise.

I have to ask what five pools and what kind of survey? I have found that our Odell pool always looks sparkling clean but I also know that if you were to culture a swab from here or there, it might tell a different story. There are germs everywhere and I am told that a little healthy interaction with them keeps your immune system on duty.

To tell you the truth the only pools that we have used in TV are the Odell pool which is literally just out our back door and the Hadley pool and both really appear to be kept very clean.

I too have been asking people about pools. Sweetie really doesn't want to add another job to his list. Yesterday we had dinner with some former pool owners and their answer was that two memorable days stand out in pool ownership, the day you buy it and the day you sell it....and the selling it is more fun.

I still think it would be lovely and I wish you a lot of fun in yours.

Looking forward to meeting you when we return soon.

Kindest wishes,
GG

[Chi-Town]

I would opt for the pool. What the heck, throw in a spa and a cabana bath. Top it off with a summer kitchen, and you may never spend time in the house.

[Bonny]

We have had pools all of our lives. I like having my own. We have what is now called the Juniper which is the Lantana in frame. We have a regular size lot so we put in a small pool & I love it. So easy to keep clean. It's 8' by 16' & goes from 3 & 1/2 - 4 & 1/2 feet deep. Just perfect for us.

[spk7951]

We had a pool up north in CT and wanted one here. The cost to maintain this one is much less than the previous one, actually almost non existant. A friend suggested we check into a salt chlorinator and we did and love it. We first started with a pool service that cost us $90 per month. With the salt chlorinator we no longer needed the pool service and we spend maybe 30 minutes per month brushing and vacuuming the pool. But because we have a pool does not mean we can not still go to the neighborhhod pool on occasion. Whether or not you want a pool is up to you but I would suggest looking into a salt chlorinator system should you decide to install a pool.

[Bonny]

Also, for heating the pool, solar is the way to go. Gas is a fortune.

[gadaboutgal]

I insisted on a pool when we built here. And I love it. It's so much more convenient than going to a neighborhood pool (which we can do anytime we want to meet and socialize with new friends.) Our pool is available 24/7 and always has plenty of room just to splash around or float and read a book. Though we have a heater we added the solar panels to make a much longer season without additional gas costs.

The maintenance is sooo easy if you have the salt chloronater (sp?); it is no more effort than cleaning out a refrigerator now and again!! Yes, the pool will need care for as long as you have it---but then so does anything else you have in your home.

[taylor111947]

In looking at pre-owned homes I'm sure the question of 'Pool or no Pool' will come up. Having lived in the Northeast most of my life a pool was never a thought so I don't know where to begin in asking the right questions. I'd appreciate some help in understanding what's involved with having a pool - What are the things I should consider?