"we are downsizing kids grown but wll be 10 minutes away waiting for the grandkids now any input or sdvice?". Is there some punctuation missing there? You're 10 minutes away waiting for the grandkids? 10 minutes away from where? I don't think I understand. But - let me give it a try. You're looking for advice on whether to buy a home a couple of blocks from the ocean or one that isn't near the ocean but has a pool.

Here are two ways to look at it, if I've gotten that right. With home #1, you could easily walk to the ocean (I'm assuming there is a beach?). When your family and friends visit you could all be on the beach together. It's salt water. You have no maintenance concerns regarding the beach. With home #2, you've got freshwater swimming right at your house. Your family/friends could gather there and have easy access to their stuff, bathrooms, kitchen, etc. A pool needs regular maintenance.

Anything strike home?

I’d go with #2 if you are in FL, stay away from flooding zone.

I'm in FL and many/most pools in my area are set up with a salt water system.

"not near the water"

How far inland is the house with a pool?

Im in NJ and will be 10 minutes from my daughters. The house will be about a block from the bay wish we could afford thr beach . The house with the pool is about 15 minues from the water. Also want to add my one daughter lives about a block from the bayside house. House hunting is tough

It is such a personal thing , related to what you like to do.

I had a pool at previous house and really did not use it much during years I was working in a demanding career. I did love how it looked when sparkling clean, and it did feel luxurious to be able to go jump in my private pool on a very hot day, but I was usually alone! This was in Zone 7 and not heated, and I could only use it about 3-4 months of year. Was small, so doing laps was like hamster laps.

I had a few kid birthday parties where people swam, and a few deck/ pool parties, but really it did not function as any but a backdrop for adult type parties- adults did not intend to actually swim. So, a lot of upkeep, a lot of time looking at just a pool cover.

I doubt I’d go in the water much at a northern beach-/ but maybe high summer it’s good-/but I agree with its seeming great to walk on. beachcomb, view vastness, if literally a short stroll.

If I lived in NJ I’d probably need a gym in winter!

So really, for typical casual entertaining, a nice patio ( or deck) with a grill and seating, or a screened porch, nowadays seems much more conducive to gathering.

Are there neighborhood pools? Because another thing I found was that since kids needed supervision, mine could not just use the pool or have friends over unless I were home. This would be a different situation now with grandchildren, but again, they’re not close by. And now I live one block from our neighborhood pool, so that’s great for summer visits.

Pool can be added, location cannot be changed

I live in NY so understand the climate well. I would not want the upkeep of the pool nor to worry about kids' safety around a pool. Give me a nice walk at the bay three seasons out of the year.

I moved to be near my son and DIL and grandchildren. I’m literally a 5 minute slow walk. It’s been amazing because I can see everyone without driving at all. Seeing them and the grands is my life. My neighborhood is gorgeous and I have a large backyard with pool for Hot Houston. For me, it’s perfect. I don’t know what your relationship is with your kids and future grandchildren, so consider how close geographically you want to be. My kids are respectful of my need for alone time and never demand babysitting. I can decline anytime I want or just hop over for 10 minutes of hugs and giggles. But for others I can see how this could pose issues.

That would be my other question— what’s going on at “ the bay”? Does it have walking trails, picnic areas? Not because I’d prefer a pool, but more if the “ bay house” was not as good a house as something in another neighborhood and the bay was not visitor- friendly.

You've described the locations, not the houses. You said downsizing, does either have more storage than the other....If you have ample storage, your living spaces can easily be smaller and still convenient to keep neat and clean.

If you are growing a little older, have you considered a full bath and potential primary bedroom on the main floor. Does either have a kitchen where you can easily store food for family gatherings and prepare it without tripping over the grandchildren you are waiting for.

Personally, I'd take the bay over the pool - you'd have no maintenance issues with the bay. But the house itself plays strongly into your decision. Which house do you prefer the layout over the other.....

I’m in NJ, as well, and the house near the bay and your daughter sounds great. However, I know that shore towns frequently flood so consider that too. I had a pool in our previous home but we downsized to a condo to be closer to one of our sons and his family. It has benefited both of us. I’m happy not to have the pool anymore because the kids didn’t visit as often as before because they get involved in sports, etc, and driving the parkway on a Sunday to see us became a chore and so the pool, while lovely, was used mainly by only the two of us. Sitting on the beach sounds great, though beach badges can be costly as well. Much to consider, but I’d choose the bay house.

Thanks for all the ideas to think about of course we would get more for our miney the farther away we get from thr water. The bay house is a raised home with a loft the first floor is basically all storage. we will be downsizing. My daughter has a boat and both our homes will be one block from the marina leaning toward this home most of the other homes available are in very busy residential areas with lots of kids

Punctuation is your friend and a friendly thing to do when asking others to read your posts. Too much work to figure out what you're saying.

Thanks. For some reason when typing it on my phone it doesnt put in punctuation. Thanks for bearing with me.

Living in a beach/resort town, I can say I am glad we did not buy a home at the beach. We chose a home about a mile or so inland. Just from the beach summer traffic alone was reason not to. But the storms and the wave damage to homes and the roads are a major reason. Flood insurance if you can get it-astronomical. I like being able to ride my bike or get a residents beach sticker to go to the beach. Living at the beach, no thanks.