In ground pool, phx az, kids

[cekkk]

We belonged to a community club with a pool while the kids were growing up. It worked fine. In those days a mile bike ride was safe, and the pool was open to kids except for a couple brief adults-only periods during the day.

Now those kids all have their own backyard pools and don't regret it.

Their children learned to swim in their own pools.

[TriciaAZ]

I had a pool in Surprise. Yes, it is nice in the summer but honestly the upkeep ($100 mo pool guy came once a week), stolen pool cleaner (I guess someone jumped my fence while I was at work), the ridiculous algae (black) that I got from a dust storm that took a long time to clear and the additional cost to my electric bill year around, it just wasn't worth it.I also had salt water and the salt water mechanism stopped working. I sold the house and the pool didn't add any extra value.

[CGab]

YES! We have access to pools as well, but we plan on getting a pool put in next spring so that we can use it anytime we want and not be inconvenienced by others! I say do it!

[DKM]

I have little kids near those ages and recently bought a house with a pool. We also had access to a HOA pool before. There is nothing like having your own especially for little kids. It is so convenient (one gets hungry, tired, nap time, etc.) you will wonder how you lived without one before. It costs you a $100 a month in maint...totally worth it. Bonus, you never share the pool with anyone you don't want in there. Nobody else's brats splashing you or your kiddos.

[SFBayBoomer]

Originally Posted by nauxctrack

I'm considering one day getting an in ground pool installed. Our kids are 1.5 and 4, and this wouldn't happen until they're both proficient swimmers, regardless of gate, just can't take the risk. Pools are usable here april-october so I think the season is plenty long. Money isn't a super big issue, at least not once we pay the house off in 5 years (age 37).

I guess what I'm wondering is, is if our access to our own pool is overkill with our situation. My parents live 5 min away in a community with a pool, only problem is their kid hours are 11-1 and 3-5, which basically means only usable on weekends. My wife and I are teachers and we get season pool passes to the city pools for $110 but it's only june-july from 1-6pm. So we do have access to pools weekly year round in some fashion, just not very convenient times.

So would you guys go for the pool to have at our convenience, or are they more of a hassle if you can have access to one

My niece and nephews were raised from toddler age on with in-ground pools, and they learned to be excellent swimmers. The parents moved from a downslope house with a pool on a terrace below to a flat parcel (for safety for the kids) and installed a kidney-shaped pool. The youngest children stayed on the kiddie side of the pool and the rest of us used the whole pool. There was a shortish and attractive fence around the pool which was locked with a normal padlock of the access code type. The code was four easily remembered numbers (and I got access!), but it kept the toddlers out when the parents locked the gate.

Once the kids were all proficient swimmers and a little older, the fence was removed. All three of "the kids" (adults now) used the pool just about daily and have kept up a very physically active lifestyle throughout their lives. I think they were very fortunate to have that easy pool access. They also got to have friends over, something they will not be able to do when visiting grandparents.

I would definitely install the pool as soon as you can afford it.

[Yippeekayay]

If I were you, I would enroll the 2 older kids first in swimming lessons. After passing Level 2 by both, that is when I would build a pool.