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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is having a pool and nice weather overhyped?

170 replies

Keithlemondrop · 28/04/2025 12:39

I have really got completely obsessed with the idea of moving somewhere with sunny weather and where pools are the norm. There is NOTHING i love more than lazing around a pool on holiday, barbecuing and socialising with friends/family.

The world is really our oyster as both dh and I have very in demand jobs. And our kids are young. I sit in my bikini in my garden on a warm day but it’s just not the same. I know you cant out run your problems but a pretty garden and pool wouldnt hurt is my view.

Have I just overhyped this in my head? It just seems a wonderful lifestyle. Putting on a sundress on a Saturday morning and then going to do a big bbq food shop, followed by a day lounging by the pool seems like HEAVEN. Or is it just a bit of a novelty to me.

Do you live somewhere like this? What is your experience?

OP posts:
gertrudebiggles · 28/04/2025 12:41

It's not overhyped

SpoonyRedOtter · 28/04/2025 12:42

It depends what you mean by over-hyped?

I'm sure it's lovely to have so in that sense not over-hyped but I'm also sure there's an enormous amount of time, effort and money that goes into it.

MattCauthon · 28/04/2025 12:44

I grew up in that environment. It's lovely.

But of course, moving country is a lot more than just a pool and more sun. It's about culture and friends and school and family and all the rest of it. So take that into account. Where are you considering?

GasPanic · 28/04/2025 12:45

I guess some people like it more than others.

Aren't there a few CF threads on here where people find their gardens being used by others without pools ?

You should put your best CF pants on and try invading a neighbours space when they are away etc.

steff13 · 28/04/2025 12:45

I like living someplace where you can experience all four seasons, personally. Summer here is hot and sunny; I wouldn't want that all year round.

Delatron · 28/04/2025 12:45

It would be lovely but you’d need to find a suitable country and then weigh up all the downsides to that country versus here.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 28/04/2025 12:50

I don’t think it’s an unusual thing to enjoy - lazing by a pool in hot weather - or even have as your favourite thing, otherwise holiday companies wouldn’t make so much money! So from that pov definitely not unreasonable to think it’s a great thing. Obviously some people don’t but I suspect you’re in the majority.

I think if you and your DH are able to be that flexible re work then you are in a very good position, and there’s nothing wrong with looking into options.

Do you have ties other than children’s schools (you’ve said they’re young) to keep you here? Would you miss other family and friends?

Do your research re the specific country you move to, what it’s like as a place to live etc, and in particular rules re one spouse moving back to UK with kids if it all goes wrong.

Ablondiebutagoody · 28/04/2025 12:51

If it was that great, wouldn't more people who live in suitable climates have their own pools? The % of locals who do doesn't seem that high.

I like to smoke and drink heavily on holiday, its a wonderful lifestyle for 2 weeks but wouldn't do it on a regular basis.

Original poster
Keithlemondrop · 28/04/2025 12:52

I can’t think of a country is my only problem.

UAE - been on holiday and just not for me
USA - have visited a few states and I enjoy my time there but not sure I would feel comfortable around guns, anti abortion laws etc
NZ/Aus - just too isolated

It would have to be an English speaking country as I am rubbish with languages and would hate to not feel integrated (I know UAE is not English speaking).

I don’t think i would go anywhere that would put us in an ex pat bubble.

OP posts:
thatsgotit · 28/04/2025 12:52

I’d love it. I’ve been getting so sick of washout summers and the overall unpredictability of the weather in the UK lately.

Original poster
Keithlemondrop · 28/04/2025 12:53

Ablondiebutagoody · 28/04/2025 12:51

If it was that great, wouldn't more people who live in suitable climates have their own pools? The % of locals who do doesn't seem that high.

I like to smoke and drink heavily on holiday, its a wonderful lifestyle for 2 weeks but wouldn't do it on a regular basis.

It’s a bit different. Smoking and drinking is very unhealthy and not massively sustainable in the long run. Not quite the same as swimming and lounging by a pool

OP posts:
lavenderlolly · 28/04/2025 12:55

That was our lifestyle in a warm/hot climate for 20 plus years: had a pool and lounging area. Loved it deeply.

LivingDeadGirlUK · 28/04/2025 12:56

When we were kids we had one of those big pools that have the metal frame, about a meter high perhaps. It was amazing in summer. I know the UK isn't the same as somewhere with that all year round but its only going to get hotter and dryer over summers in the SE of the country.

I'm with PP on that I like to enjoy all the seasons.

Delatron · 28/04/2025 12:57

It’s tricky to think of a suitable country though. I don’t think I’d fancy France/Spain. Plus southern Europe would get too hot in the summer I think. Australia too far. US - Trump and guns.

Maybe one of the Balearics. Do you have kids? Schools would be a massive consideration then the language barrier.

Friends moved to Singapore and love it but may be too far.

Original poster
Keithlemondrop · 28/04/2025 12:57

I was thinking East Coast US? New England? Connecticut?

Canada is just too cold

OP posts:
Ablondiebutagoody · 28/04/2025 12:57

Keithlemondrop · 28/04/2025 12:53

It’s a bit different. Smoking and drinking is very unhealthy and not massively sustainable in the long run. Not quite the same as swimming and lounging by a pool

Show quote history

But when I visit Spain, Italy, Aus, US etc. not that many local people seem to have pools. Why is that? I suspect that the PITA:pleasure ratio is too high. I don't think that I would relocate in order to have a pool.

MidnightPatrol · 28/04/2025 12:57

I think just living in a warmer climate allows a more outdoorsy lifestyle, which is very pleasant.

Lentilweaver · 28/04/2025 12:57

Yes. I have lived in hot countries and continue to visit as have family there.
Not fun in global warming when temperatures rise to 40..Also, it's really boring sitting by the pool all year.
I would much rather be able to walk all day, go to museums, parks and hike.

No3392 · 28/04/2025 13:00

I plan to move to Italy when the kids are all done with school and adult.

AffIt · 28/04/2025 13:01

steff13 · 28/04/2025 12:45

I like living someplace where you can experience all four seasons, personally. Summer here is hot and sunny; I wouldn't want that all year round.

I lived in Singapore for a while (we had a pool!) and while I enjoyed it while we were there (I was working for an international firm), I missed 'weather'.

I'm glad that I had the opportunity and I enjoyed my time there enormously, but coming home to Scotland and seeing the seasons cycle was massively joyous for me.

Ineffable23 · 28/04/2025 13:02

What about Malta? Technically they speak Maltese but English is an official language. Very small though, I think I'd get a bit claustrophobic after a while.

Energe · 28/04/2025 13:03

No

Lentilweaver · 28/04/2025 13:03

I spend a month in a hot country yearly, and by the end I am dying to leave and bored shitless. Too hot to leave the house in summer.

Comedycook · 28/04/2025 13:03

Im the same as you op....my biggest dream ever would be to love somewhere hot and sunny all year round with a pool. I think I'd be happy every day

Waitingfordoggo · 28/04/2025 13:05

I live on the south coast (England) and we have a pool. It doesn’t get used very much unless we have people round for BBQs.

Last summer wasn’t good weather-wise, but all of the other summers over the past eleven years we’ve lived here, there have been plenty of pool opportunities from May-September. When we first moved here, it got a lot of use as the kids were still young and there were also lots of kids in the neighbourhood who used to rock up every day with their towels and lilos 😂 The kids don’t go in it much now they’re older, unless they have friends over. DH uses it a fair bit. I have only been in it three times in the 11 years we’ve been here. We also live 500m from the beach and I very rarely go in the sea either- I’m not a swimmer! I do like lounging in the shade by the pool though. When friends come for a BBQ they always say they feel like they’re on holiday.