I bought a house with a pool and if I had a choice I would either not have one or have a very small one. I enjoy using the sport pools and since I do not want to sit in the sun I wouldn't use the other neighborhood pools. As for mine, I covered the birdcage and there are some plants around it so privacy is not a concern for me.

When we moved to Houston (similar climate) we added a pool. Used it a lot at first because our son was young and we entertained around the pool often. When it was new and we were using it often - the additional expense seemed justified. As time goes by, obviously there are additional expenses to repair and replace items - not cheap. I would not add that expense to our retirement budget, especially with all the pools available in TV. Of course if I knew money would never be a concern, I would love to have one under a huge bird cage with a summer kitchen. I'm just too conservative to spend our retirement nest egg that way.

How do you cover a birdcage? Side shades, or what?

Gene

Only you know what's best for you based upon how often you think you'll be using it. It is definitely convenient to have it right outside the door, family does enjoy it when they visit, and landscaping can solve any privacy issues you may have living on the golf course.

On the downside when deciding, also take into consideration your utility costs plus the T&D Pool & Spa's cost for weekly maintenance...in our case, $22.50 per week. They are a great company though and we've been very happy with their service. It also requires a bigger lanai that needs cleaning.

We do our own pool. We only have to vacuum it about every 4 - 6 weeks. Put some chlorine in & that's it. Definitely wouldn't pay to have that done.

Here is a picture of our small pool. Just 8 x 16. Of course had to throw in a picture of my grandson. LOL

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto..._5236423_n.jpg

I just realized that outside of poromo's original post, there is no follow up from this poster on this thread. I think we are talking to ourselves :) Wouldn't be the first time.

Yep, we do that alot ! :blahblahblah:

So essentially we are explaining to ourselves that this was a good idea. very amusing.

Okay, where's the like button ? We need one of those. Maybe I just spend too much time on FaceBook. :)

I think this is as close as it gets to "like" :coolsmiley:

Pool on got course lot
 

I looked at pre-owned golf course lot homes and it seemed those with a pool sold first. I'm not a big swimmer but love to look at water so we put a pool in our new home. It's great to plunge in for a quick refreshing dip! It's very small but no regrets. Another neighbor put in just a spa for the same reason. We have a 4 tile high wall for the Florida Fall on the golf course side. Gives a bit of privacy but the golfers are watching the course, not us.

sure the golfers are watching the course

Very smart indeed. I thought the same thing why buy a pool when there are so many here already.

Thank everyone for your comments and suggestions. My wife and I decided to install a pool and birdcage on our golfront home.
Should we have the pool and birdcage installed when the house is being built have it added on after we move in?