Pool home necessary? (Tampa: how much, homes, upkeep)

[aislin]

Residents, what's your opinion on this? I was talking about this with a friend from Tampa. She says pool homes become more of a "necessity" with inland homes. She says she wouldn't live in central FL without one.

What're your thoughts?

[chopchop0]

They are definitely more of a nice thing down here vs up north where you can't use it nearly as much during the year

[upgrader]

Originally Posted by aislin

Residents, what's your opinion on this? I was talking about this with a friend from Tampa. She says pool homes become more of a "necessity" with inland homes. She says she wouldn't live in central FL without one.

What're your thoughts?

Whether you own the pool or not, I think the bigger issue is being WALKING distance from a swimmable body of water. If you can find a home in an association (that you can accept) that gives you walking access to a shared pool, that might be better than the upkeep of a pool right outside of a sliding door.

In addition, you need to define "inland". When it comes to "swimmable water access" in the heat of Florida, I think inland means not easy walking access to the Gulf or the Atlantic....

[theoldnorthstate]

It depends on your situation. Use it a lot? Willing to pay $ for upkeep and maintenance? Water bill for refilling?

When my daughter lived with me it was worth the effort and $ for upkeep because she and her friends used it a lot. But on my own I barely get enough usage out of it to offset the cost.

Even with her here it would have made more sense to live in an association with a community pool.

So I disagree with your friend. But I agree that inland Fl is hot and buggy. I think the gulf coast has better breezes. Atlantic too

[bmw335xi]

Most communities have a pool, but if it doesn't a pool is nice, but honestly I think most people don't use theirs. I mean, we all have a/c so someone saying a pool is a must in Florida is like someone saying a jacuzzi is a must in New York.

[chopchop0]

Originally Posted by bmw335xi

Most communities have a pool, but if it doesn't a pool is nice, but honestly I think most people don't use theirs. I mean, we all have a/c so someone saying a pool is a must in Florida is like someone saying a jacuzzi is a must in New York.

Kids use it a ton, especially with a summer like this. less likely when you're older w/o kids

[redshoe]

How much work is it to own a pool-- what is avg cost for pool company service? If a pool doesn't have a screen --is that a big no no--eaten alive by bugs at night? Or is it better to not have the screening?

[chopchop0]

Originally Posted by redshoe

How much work is it to own a pool-- what is avg cost for pool company service? If a pool doesn't have a screen --is that a big no no--eaten alive by bugs at night? Or is it better to not have the screening?

screen helps keep it cleaner imo. I've seen anywhere from $65-150/month depending on where in FL

[bmw335xi]

Screens help a lot, but I've seen people without them too. Pool cleaning service is generally $90 month for weekly visits. Biggest expenses are electric and water.

[LuvOrlando]

People seem to either require a pool or run like hell from one. The runners aren't pool people and don't want to work or pay for something they don't enjoy, which makes total sense.

Personally, I wouldn't live without one if I could help it. I have a screen, so there is nothing to clean, really, except once a year when the flying ants descend. I do my own testing and adding of chemicals, but I have an automatic chlorinator, so it's pretty easy. Mine stays cold in the summer. It's more expensive, but who wants a hot pool???

Occasionally, I need to call for service, but it's rare.

I'm sure my electric bill would be lower if I didn't have the pool.

The only time you have to add water is during the winter if it doesn't rain. I don't add much, honestly. I only added once this past winter. During the spring/summer/fall, it's dumping water that has to be done.

I love having it for exercise and for relaxing outside on hot days. It's just so ungodly hot out there. If I didn't have a pool, I'd have to hibernate all summer. With the pool, I'm outside and cool 365 days a year. The extra work and expense are so worth it to me.

I love my pool.