When is the best time to build a pool? In a previous article, we concluded that fall is a solid choice. However, a different way to answer the question is to consider what stage of your life is perfect for taking the plunge into pool ownership.
For many people, the answer to that question is retirement. That’s when many of us finally have the money to afford a pool, and the time to enjoy it. Of course, we may not look quite as good in a bathing suit as we used to – but hey, that’s what a privacy fence is for.
Granted, owning a pool isn’t for every retiree (or every non-retiree, for that matter). Most people probably wouldn’t get enough use out of a pool to justify the expense. Others might choose to move into an over-55 community where they can enjoy a communal pool without the obligations of ownership.
But for a select few, there’s no better place to retire than a home with a private swimming pool. If you’re retired, or nearing retirement age, here are seven reasons why owning a pool might be right up your alley:
1. You can spend more time by the pool than those working stiffs
After years of working, retirement should be about doing the things you want to do. If that includes swimming or relaxing in the sun (or both), then adding a pool could increase your happiness and overall well-being. Sprucing up your home with luxuries like this is especially appealing if you don’t plan to spend a lot of time traveling.
2. If ever you can afford it…
Perhaps you couldn’t afford a pool for much of your working life, or you chose greater financial security over the extra luxury. At retirement, you probably have more money overall and more confidence about how much you can spend. True, not everyone has the type of nest egg that can absorb a big, expensive project like this. But for many, a pool is exactly the sort of prize they’ve been saving for all these years.
3. Water exercise does your body good
Water exercise offers health benefits to people of all ages, but there are extra perks for seniors. Perhaps the biggest one is that it’s much easier on your joints than other forms of exercise. You can always take a water aerobics class at your local fitness center, but having a pool right in your backyard could make it easier to stick with the program and maintain a healthy lifestyle in retirement.
4. You can be active in planning and supervising the installation
As a rule, the more involved you are in planning a new pool, the happier you will be with the result. Trouble is, many people don’t have the time to delve into the details while managing a busy work schedule. Not having a 9-to-5 job means you can spend more time deciding on the features you want and selecting a top-notch builder. Also, while we don’t recommend trying to micromanage the installation, it never hurts to keep an eye on things.
5. You’re settled in
The home you settle in after retirement could be the last one you ever own. That means you don’t have to worry as much about costly renovations that may not pay off when you sell – and a pool definitely fits into that category. If you’re planning to stay for the foreseeable future, it makes more sense to spend money on home improvements that make your life better.
6. It’s an excuse to get together with friends and family
One of the downsides of retiring is that you tend to lose touch with people – and aside from an annoying coworker or two, that’s not such a good thing. With your own pool, you have the perfect place to host parties for friends and family. And if you have grandchildren, a pool is great for keeping them entertained and helping to create memories that last.
7. You know what you want
One pitfall of building a pool is ending up with features that turn out to be a waste of money. Worse yet, many people rush in only to decide too late that owning a pool isn’t really for them. Being older and more experienced doesn’t guarantee that you’ll make the right decisions when it comes to building a swimming pool. But it sure helps.
