House with pool in Houston (Katy: to rent, neighbourhood, buy)

[mikeyyc]

Actually it's a perfect argument. I use it all the time. We're driving an older car and in exchange have a pool.

For us, it's been one of the best choices we've made, but it's not for everyone.

[Texas Ag 93]

I think to swallow the bitter pill of the cost of building a pool yourself, you have to think of it as an asset, not an investment. You will never get back what you put into it. You will, however, get enjoyment and use out of it, and it can contribute greatly to your happiness and satisfaction with your home.

[PedroMartinez]

Originally Posted by Texas Ag 93

I think to swallow the bitter pill of the cost of building a pool yourself, you have to think of it as an asset, not an investment. You will never get back what you put into it. You will, however, get enjoyment and use out of it, and it can contribute greatly to your happiness and satisfaction with your home.

Agreed. The only thing I'm "investing" in when I make my pool payment is lifestyle. I'm basically paying to go on a whole bunch of little vacations in my backyard, and everybody knows you don't get back vacation money. You do it to improve your quality of life.

[Texas Ag 93]

Originally Posted by PedroMartinez

Agreed. The only thing I'm "investing" in when I make my pool payment is lifestyle. I'm basically paying to go on a whole bunch of little vacations in my backyard, and everybody knows you don't get back vacation money. You do it to improve your quality of life.

So, we moved back here in June and so far, my husband and I have not had a date night or weekend getaway, like we envisioned when we moved back to our hometown and had grandparents to help babysit. In Denver, we would often get a babysitter and go out, just the two of us.

We were talking about this last night and decided the reason we haven't yet gone out is because we don't really want to. We love spending time in our backyard that much, and a lot of it is because of the pool. And my husband is not a good hands on caregiver at all, and is not interested in the kid's school activities.....but he is now spending more time with them because of the pool....

Now, I was a bit worried about the pool until my 4 year old started swimming about 3 weeks ago. Of course, the kids can't be trusted to be out there alone, but I don't worry about her falling in and drowning anymore. With our last pool, the kids were toddler and infant age, and it was huge source of worry for me.

[77030]

I am going with answer #3 - none of the above!

[3shipguy]

Originally Posted by 77030

I am going with answer #3 - none of the above!

You got that wrong, bro. What's better than having your own pool? Having friends/relatives with a pool.

[Failed Engineer]

Originally Posted by 3shipguy

You got that wrong, bro. What's better than having your own pool? Having friends/relatives with a pool.

Haha! That is definitely the right answer! Our friends that have pools love having their friends over for parties. We are happy to come over

[ipuck]

If you have kids, the pool is probably the best investment ever.

[gwarnecke]

Originally Posted by 3shipguy

You got that wrong, bro. What's better than having your own pool? Having friends/relatives with a pool.

Or having a good neighborhood pool. Splash around in it whenever you want, let someone else handle the maintenance and scoop the leaves out.

[LonghornHotspur]

Originally Posted by ipuck

If you have kids, the pool is probably the best investment ever.

Statment that swayed me, from DW:

"Do you want our 13 year old daughter hanging around at the neighbor boy's pool, or the neighbor boy within range at our pool".

Contract signed 10 days later.