Pool or no pool?

It depends on if you like water and you would use it. If you are not going to use it then don't get it. If you find a house with an existing pool you like then that is the best way to go, new built pools are expensive these days.

Maintenance is not too difficult. We go back and forth from doing it ourselves or paying $120/month for weekly service. Just don't get caught up in all the pool store chemicals, liquid bleach works best for keeping everything stable. plenty of good tips can be found online.

We do not see a big difference in electricity usage and the pump runs about 6 hrs/day. We could not imagine what we would do in the byard if we did not have a pool so we love it.