[CindyRoos]

Originally Posted by Arcenal352

In their defense, raccoon are known to be able to get into pretty much anything. They are EXTREMELY intelligent, and if they want to get into your house, they'll wait to see how you open the door, and then proceed to try to open it in your absence. Same if they want to get to the water... Put up barriers all you want, they'll find new ways to get in.

Those darn little fingers of theirs! LOL
When I was young, my sister and I had pet raccoons for a while. (long story) We named them "Heckel and Jeckel" LOL They really are smart and can get into almost anything.

I wouldn't want a pool in Florida with a screened in Lanai

[Fredesch]

Originally Posted by kellygirl925

I vote you go for the pool! We have one, with a cage, and love it. I live farther north, central on the west coast side. On the hottest of days it totally cools you off to be in the pool. We have a pool heater but it runs on propane so it gets expensive to run it. So we just don't swim during the winter months. It's so relaxing to float, read a magazine, listen to music & have a drink....all at the same time. And I did buy some floating weights for water work outs as well.

Enjoy & good luck!

How much do the floating weights weigh?

[FromCTtoFL]

Originally Posted by Arcenal352

We have a pretty large yard, and I've never felt the need to install a pool... The only way I'd do it would be if I could afford to get one large enough to swim laps, as that's the only type of swimming I really enjoy... Maybe some water volley-ball too or something, which also requires quite a bit of space and decent depth. I see lots of homes with those nice (but small) pools in their screened porches, and can't help but wonder what there is to do in there other than cool off and have a beer... A large pool would be nice, but it's currently out of my budget. I just go to the beach or use the Olympic-sized pools at my sports complex.

Cooling off with an ice cold beer while my 3 year old gleefully splashes around is good enough for me! I've never been a good swimmer but hopefully that will change having our own pool that we can use (nearly year round).

[FromCTtoFL]

Originally Posted by CandyGal

I have a 3 and a 6 year old. We love our pool in the summer! We live in Tampa, so our winters are colder, but we can swim from May-September. Our pool has a screen enclosure which actually reduces the water temperature. Our next door neighbor's pool does not. His feels like bath water in the mid-summer, which is not refreshing, while ours feels great. However his pool is usable in April & October, and ours is too cold in those months.

We own our home so we put up a pool fence around our pool for peace of mind. Personally, I would be nervous living in a house without a pool fence and a little child that can't swim, but many people do it. There are all sorts of safety latches you can put on the doors if the house doesn't come with a pool fence.

The screen enclosure helps a LOT with keeping bugs and leaves out. Expect more work (and chemicals) if it isn't screened.

I agree 100% about the child pool fence. I would never forgive myself if something happened to my daughter (or another child). I am going to install that plus put extra latches on the doors, just to be safe. Didn't realize the screen would affect the water temp. We're in South Florida so it'll hopefully keep it slightly cooler in the summer months, yet still usable most other months of the year. Thanks for you post!

[FromCTtoFL]

Originally Posted by kellygirl925

I vote you go for the pool! We have one, with a cage, and love it. I live farther north, central on the west coast side. On the hottest of days it totally cools you off to be in the pool. We have a pool heater but it runs on propane so it gets expensive to run it. So we just don't swim during the winter months. It's so relaxing to float, read a magazine, listen to music & have a drink....all at the same time. And I did buy some floating weights for water work outs as well.

Enjoy & good luck!

Wow - that sounds heavenly, PLUS my toddler will be entertained as well - awesome. Didn't know they made floating weights - I'll have to look into those

[StreetSmarts]

Originally Posted by BNBR

What does staying in the house a long time have to do with them renting a house with or without a pool?

You're right. I misread the question. OP, rent with a pool if you can. It will just cost more.

[markjames68]

Originally Posted by FromCTtoFL

I agree 100% about the child pool fence. I would never forgive myself if something happened to my daughter (or another child). I am going to install that plus put extra latches on the doors, just to be safe. Didn't realize the screen would affect the water temp. We're in South Florida so it'll hopefully keep it slightly cooler in the summer months, yet still usable most other months of the year. Thanks for you post!

I have one of the removable pool fences surrounding my pool, with locks on each latch. Although my kids wouldn't go in without supervision and are old enough, I don't like to take chances.

The great thing about them is that they are easily removable (or a section) for swimming and pop back in afterward. Or, you can get a door section if you use it a lot. If you're entertaining you can remove the whole thing and roll it up.

When I had mine installed the guy was happy that I was using it for its intended purpose. Apparently a lot are just used by builders as a temporary fence until the cage goes up. Once I had the pool fence in I disconnected the door alarms to the lanai (which are required by code if you don't have a fence).

[CindyRoos]

Originally Posted by CindyRoos

Those darn little fingers of theirs! LOL
When I was young, my sister and I had pet raccoons for a while. (long story) We named them "Heckel and Jeckel" LOL They really are smart and can get into almost anything.

I wouldn't want a pool in Florida with a screened in Lanai

I meant I wouldn't want a pool in Florida WITHOUT a screened in Lanai

[Libertad06]

I'm glad I rented a house with a pool before I bought a house. Knowing the maintenance and cost to keep it running well isn't worth it IMO.

[markjames68]

Originally Posted by Libertad06

I'm glad I rented a house with a pool before I bought a house. Knowing the maintenance and cost to keep it running well isn't worth it IMO.

Interesting perspective. I estimate my maintenance and running costs (pump, heater when needed) to be around $100-120 a month, which when you have kids is pretty reasonable. What were you paying?