Is a home with a pool or hot tub worth it? I went from skeptic to convert, and I’m sharing the unexpected joys and real considerations of making the plunge.

Let’s be honest. For years, whenever I toured a house that had a pool, I saw one thing: a giant, water-filled liability.

My mind would instantly jump to the monthly maintenance costs, the safety worries, the opening and closing rituals, and that classic line from every real estate show: “Buyers see a pool as a lot of work.”

A hot tub felt like a slightly smaller, warmer version of the same problem, a novelty that would wear off after a few months, leaving me with a higher electricity bill and a cover to wrestle with.

And then, almost by accident, my family and I bought a house that happened to have both. It wasn’t the main selling point; we loved the layout, the neighborhood, the light.

The pool and hot tub were just… there. I viewed them as a neutral-to-negative feature we’d have to deal with.

Fast forward to today, and I have to admit, I was completely wrong. They’ve transformed not just our property, but our daily lives in ways I never saw coming.

The most obvious benefit is the instant vacation feeling. There’s a profound shift in your mindset when your “weekend getaway” is just a few steps out your back door. That stressful Tuesday? It dissolves after a twenty-minute float under the stars.

The relentless summer heat becomes an invitation, not a burden. I’ve lost count of the Sunday afternoons saved from boredom by an impromptu pool volleyball game or the simple pleasure of reading a book while dangling my feet in the water.

It becomes the centerpiece of your home’s social life, the place where friends and family naturally gather, where memories are made over shared dips and conversations that seem to flow easier with the water.

But beyond the fun, I discovered a more personal, almost therapeutic layer. The hot tub, especially, has become my sanctuary.

What I dismissed as a luxury has turned into my most reliable form of self-care. After a long day of work, when my shoulders are knotted with tension, a soak in the hot tub is a physical reset button.

It’s where I unwind mentally, often without my phone, just watching the steam rise into the cool night air. The pool offers a different kind of therapy, the quiet, meditative rhythm of swimming laps at dawn has done more for my clarity and fitness than any gym membership ever did.

Now, I won’t pretend it’s all sunset swims and serene soaks. There is a real conversation to have about responsibility.

The maintenance is non-negotiable. You either learn the basics of balancing chemicals, cleaning filters, and managing the equipment, or you budget for a reliable weekly service.

Safety is paramount, especially with children or visiting nieces and nephews; proper fencing, secure covers, and strict rules are absolutely essential. And yes, there are ongoing costs for utilities, chemicals, and occasional repairs.

But here’s the perspective shift I experienced: you’re not just paying for a pool or a hot tub. You’re investing in a lifestyle and in your property’s unique character.

That backyard becomes an extended living space for a significant part of the year. For us, it meant skipping crowded public pools and creating a private oasis that perfectly suits our pace. It encouraged us to be outside more, to be more active, and to truly use every part of our home.

If you’re considering taking the plunge, my advice is to see beyond the initial intimidation. Have a thorough inspection done on the equipment, the pump, heater, and liner, just as you would the furnace or roof.

Get realistic quotes for insurance and for a maintenance service if you don’t plan to DIY. Then, close your eyes and honestly picture your life. Do you see summer barbecues where everyone ends up in the water? Do you imagine quiet soaks under the stars? Does the idea of your kids growing up with swims in their own backyard fill you with joy?

For me, the calculus changed when I stopped seeing them as fancy appliances and started seeing them as portals to joy, relaxation, and connection.

They’re not for everyone, and that’s okay. But if the lifestyle calls to you, the benefits can ripple through your life in the most beautiful, unexpected ways.

We bought a house, but we gained a resort, a therapy room, a gym, and a memory factory, all rolled into one shimmering, welcoming bit of water in our own backyard.

References

AlphaWest Pools & Spas. (2023). *8 compelling reasons to own a pool and hot tub*. Retrieved from https://alphawest.com/8-compelling-reasons-to-own-a-pool-and-hot-tub/

Gress Swim. (2024). *Top 5 benefits of owning a home pool and spa*. Retrieved from https://gresswim.com/2024/06/04/top-5-benefits-of-owning-a-home-pool-and-spa/

Thatcher Pools. (2021). *7 reasons why you should buy a home jacuzzi*. Retrieved from https://thatcherpools.com/7-reasons-why-you-should-buy-a-home-jacuzzi/

Lifestyle Outdoor. (2023). *6 benefits of owning a hot tub*. Retrieved from https://www.lifestyleoutdoor.com/6-benefits-of-owning-a-hot-tub/

Bella Pools by Design. (2025). *5 health benefits of custom swimming pool ownership*. Retrieved from https://bellapoolsbydesign.com/3-health-benefits-of-pool-ownership/

Blue Wave Pools & Spas. (2024). *Benefits of owning a custom pool and hot tub*. Retrieved from https://www.bluewavepoolsaz.com/benefits-of-owning-a-custom-pool-and-hot-tub