Go for the pool, especially when you have kids. They will love and enjoy it. In SoCal, I think it’s given that kids need to know how to swim. There’s just so many water activities around. The younger they start the better. With that said, I completely agree with comments above that you need to get a safety device, fence or a pool cover. I have both but like the latter better, because once closed, you can’t get in period. It also keeps the water and chemical from evaporating and the dirt out – hence less pump runs. Maintenance is not that bad if you do it yourself and buy a pool cleaning robot (sweeper). I vacuum and add chems once/2 mos in the winter and once/2 wks in the summer. Remember that saying … having a pool in your own backyard – priceless.