re: looking at getting a pool at the house

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Bottom line.... A pool is like a boat. It's better to use your friend's pool

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This. All of this. All day, every day.

Above ground pools are not allowed where I live.

First things first if you decide to buy a pool and you have little kids get a legit pool fence installed. Little ones drown in the blink of an eye. Probably add 2-4K depending on your pool size.

I owned a saltwater pool in my last home. It was less work than a normal chlorinator. Added 400-500 lbs of salt each spring and let it go. Maybe add another 100 lbs over the summer as it is used but the pool was enjoyable for the wife and kids which gave me some extra free time.

The bad is you still have to skim the bugs, spiders, leaves, grass clippings, random reptiles, and even a mouse every once in a while.

If you get a pool a great robotic vacuum is needed. I preferred an attached bag to take extra work off the filters in the pool line. I used a Nautilus and was pleased.

Get a gunnite pool and not a fiberglass. My friend had a fiberglass model and it was line swimming in a bathtub. Also if you decide to buy, also consider your pool deck around the pool. I think most places are going to pour 3' deck all the way around. Sometimes less. Add at least 6-8k for a decent sized decking for tables, umbrellas, chairs and loungers.

Having said all that I would not plan on owning another pool. We only got to use it for 5-6 months of the year and even though I didn't have to check chlorination much it was still too much work. Kids loved it and that's what matters. Good luck on your decision.

Didn't you almost get laid off recently? I wouldn't be looking to spend that kind of money with an iffy job outlook.

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Trying to keep chlorine in a pool with the damn rain and 100 degree temps is a losing battle. You will spend a fortune on shock and chemicals and gas running back and forth to the pool store trying to keep that shite clean.

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My experience with a pool is the complete opposite. Very little work and my pool chemistry is always near perfect. A little alkalinity increaser after a big rain, but that's it.

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Not really.

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That's what I thought. Don't confuse the OP. He's looking for legitimate advice.

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My experience with a pool is the complete opposite. Very little work and my pool chemistry is always near perfect. A little alkalinity increaser after a big rain, but that's it.

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Consider yourself lucky. I fought the heat/ rain/phosphates battle for a couple of years before I went copper. Will never go back.

I built one when we lived in Texas about 11 years ago. Hired subs and oversaw it all. It isn't rocket science.

Refinanced and pulled equity out to cover the pool. My interest was lower but the principle was increased.

Went with salt. It feels better but doesn't save money and isn't easier. The water is just better.

Some increase in electrical bills but nothing crazy.

The spa that overflowed in the pool was a must. We enjoyed that a lot. My girls swam in that pool all the time. The night before we moved I pulled them out of the pool at midnight. They were crying.

If I lived in the South I would have one again in a heartbeat. Do your research and make sure you get a good fence system and control who has access. My greatest fear was little kids who couldn't swim having access.

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Pools are easy, inexpensive, hassle-free, everybody uses it, and no harsh chemicals!

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I'm in year 3 of my pool and that's exactly my experience. I've got 3 neighbors who have had the same results as well. Will it suck when a pump or salt cell goes out and has to be replaced? Of course, but that's just part of ownership of anything. All the bitching in here about maintaining a pool is pretty laughable. I spend roughly 30-45 minutes a week and it's easy to stay on top of it

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year 3

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Give it time. Especially in South Louisiana, where there's no such thing as a rock-solid foundation.