That immediately increases the time investment required for use. The whole point of the post is that it's easy because it's in their back yard. Public pools aren't relevant here.
Depends on your situation (the availability). I have one in my neighborhood, so it’s literally 8 minutes from my house to being showered off and in the pool. I’ve been to some people’s houses where it takes almost that long to navigate the backyard.
I don’t think my situation is just some happenstance, either. I think it’s not a huge investment for an incredible health and social return anywhere (desert climates possibly excepted? I’m not sure what the environmental impact is, especially compared with a potential reduction in personal pools built/maintained). Every neighborhood should have a pool reachable within 15 minutes and residents should petition for it if there isn’t one, imo. Petitioning obviously isn’t easy, but it’s easier than you’d think
You might be underestimating the impact of mental illness, or of being incredibly obese, on actually getting anywhere. I agree with you, that pool is really close. But these issues make it feel impossibly far away. It's stupid, but it is what it is, and that's why we have therapy. If you can afford it.
You’re right, obesity might play a larger role in making that difficult than I was factoring in. I think a significant hurdle is also wearing wet bathing clothes in public/finding public appropriate clothes. I do also think that increasing public pools can do a lot to prevent obesity, but in extant cases, it might not be that helpful.
The lowest percentage I could find for individuals with access to yards is 60%, which aligns with the the percentage of individuals who live in apartments at 35%. I wouldn't call 35% a vast majority, and even then some of that portion have community pools in their apartment complex.
Ehhh, rich isn't really applicable. Someone with good income and good debt management skills can have a pool. You don't have to be "rich", which is a pretty vague word that's very subjective.
I have friends that make very good money, and have the freedom to decide what their debt goes to. Nice house, nice cars, but if their income goes away, they're fucked because the debt doesn't magically disappear when the income does. To me, that's not rich. Rich is when you have enough resources that a change in income doesn't fuck you over.
Now, some people would say that the ability to choose what debt goes to is rich. I can see that usage being just as valid. I sure as hell can't decide what my debt goes to, it has to go only to survival needs. I can't take on debt for funsies like a pool, at least not in any amount that's significant (so, nothing big as a pool, but maybe enough for switching out an appliance that isn't dead, as an example).
For real, pools can be had with relatively low incomes. They cost about the same as a car for in-ground (a new car, not something lightly used lol). You don't have to be in six figure income brackets to have one. Do I think it's dumber than dammit to do so if you don't? Yes, but it's still possible as long as you want something basic
If an above ground is applicable, and it can be for light exercise, you can get by with as little as a grand. Which ain't cheap, bit it's a debt most people in the typical "middle class" income range can manage at some point, if it's a priority.
Good luck avoiding it. Need transportation? You're going to end up in debt. Want to own a home? Debt.
It sucks, but if you want anything resembling a functional life, it's damn near impossible to avoid all debt. And, the less income you have, the harder it is. Try getting through life debt free on disability income. You can't.
I agree with most of what you are saying...............now. However you moved the goalposts. Your original post was about going into debt for a swimming pool.
What? I was responding to what you said. I didn't move shit,, you were talking about it being some kind of weird shit to know that debt is a forgone conclusion. You're the one that shifted the focus of the discussion
They cost about the same as a car for in-ground (a new car, not something lightly used lol). You don't have to be in six figure income brackets to have one.
People with less than 6figure income aren't spending as much as a new car on a backyard in ground pool. Where do you think they have the cash for that? What bank is going to loan them the funds? Hilarious you think it's possible in this economy.
I know people that have done it. It is completely possible. It's dumber than dammit, as I said, but I know two people that have in ground pools right now that weren't there this time last year. Neither cost more than 30k finished. One did it via an equity loan (again, dumb), the other via whatever company that did the pool (again, dumb).
The ones with the equity loan have a household income right at 80k total. The other hovers right around 60k.
Both have prefect credit though. Both waited and planned.
Is either pool fancy? No. Pretty damn basic, but that's not important. What's important is that it doesn't require parents paying for it. We're talking people that are middle aged, and their parents are too old to give a damn about a pool anyway.
And, if you're going to be a dick about it, you can suck mine.
It used to be completely possible for a median income household to have a pool. I don't get why this thread is so hostile to your bland take tbh. House = loan, new appliances = loan, remodel = loan. These are things that the middle class has historically been able to afford via credit and it was normal.
Would I take on a loan for a pool in this economy even with good pay? Absolutely not. 100k is the new 50k and it sucks.
You must be brain dead if you legitimately believe all you need is 100$. What about the place to put it? Most people don't own their property, and if they do, many don't have space for one.