As a kid I always wanted to live in a house with my own pool. I did live in a few apartment complexes with a pool but it's still not the same as having one in the privacy of your own backyard. Billings can get pretty hot in the summer and I know a lot of people who wish they had their own private oasis.

As an adult I finally purchased a home with my own personal watering hole. Pictured above is my backyard and yes, during the sweltering dog days of summer it is pretty sweet. We have friends and family over for poolside barbeques and even it it's 100 degrees we're still able to enjoy the outdoors. One word of caution though if you're thinking of installing your own... it's a lot of work. You need to keep it clean. That means scooping leaves out daily, cleaning the filter every couple of months (a major pain) and keeping current on the pool chemicals. Getting the balance right also involves regularly testing your water. Not to mention draining the thing in the winter because if you leave it full (assuming you go for plaster) it can crack.

I usually spend more time on pool maintenance than I do in the pool. Personally I wouldn't have it any other way because I love it and it's a great heat buster... but be prepared to either spend $100 per month on a pool person to maintain it for you or to spend at least an hour or two per week keeping it up yourself.

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