It truly depends if the house is located in the lands of the frozen chosen or in places where mitigating the heat is important.

One option costs $30,000 and the latter $6,000 plus appliances.

One location provides enjoyment 12 months every year, the other..not so much.

Here in FLorida, a pool can be appreciated.....immensely. But even here, a pool is not for everyone. A buyer yesterday objected to big trees!  The moral: You can not please everyone. The best investment is the one YOU willl enjoy.

I'd do the outdoor living space for several reasons, some personal, some professional:

1. CA is in a drought.
2. Pools do not sell houses anymore, they are more 50/50 hindrance.
3. I can do more with my budget in an outdoor living space: more bang for the buck with the same budget for both. 3A. Once my living space is done, it stops costing me money vs. the monthly expense of pool upkeep & utilities!
4. I live in an HOA, they built us a pool, so I don't need a personal one.
5. 5. I live 10 minutes from the ocean and prefer it to a pool. 

I would go with an indoor/outdoor lap pool - the ones with the built in current! 

Neither, would rather spend the money on indoor living space that can be used all year.

Many people hate pools and the maintenance, fencing requirements, and liabilty that comes with the pool. check with homeowners insurance first.

Pools are expensive and need constant maintenance. If one has the right area and circumstances, go for it. Now outdoor living space appeals to me. Think hammock, green house or enclosed glass patio with furniture plus BBQ and TV...

I personally would rather have the living space, rather than the expense and maintenance of a pool.

Maureen,

It really depends what your point of view.  If you are looking to make an investment for a return on investment, or just because you want to.  It all has to  do with the market place you are in, which can dictate the decision.  A

Even in Texas, (where it's currently 102 in the shade,) pools are polarizing. I'd have a great backyard, as pool upkeep and maintance last year round, long after the token five months of pleasure you get out of them. Also, as someone else said, it's a 50/50 selling point. 

Outdoor living space.  I grew up with in-ground pool and you are limited with its use, due to weather.  A few degrees here or there is the difference between jumping in or not.  It also requires maintenance.  I would add pool AFTER an outdoor living space has already been established. 

For me personally, assuming I had the money (and a backyard), I would choose the pool as I love to swim and that is my dream.  I think most though would choose the landscaping.

I would be doing this for my own enjoyment and not resale value.  I supposed the offset in capital gains tax would offset the price a bit even if very low added capital value.

I live in a city...so in an apartment...and chose it because of the pool.  But, that is me.  This summer, I've been using it around 5 to 6 days/week.

Maureen Dempsey - we are in New England - so pool is good for few months only, correct?

Now if someone loves swimming pool, by all means - go for it!

Depends on budget and space.   Since we have both, both recent additions to our historic property I would do neither.   If we didnt have either one, a pool is very nice here in the desert.

We would not even think about a pool since we have wonderful pool facilities in our neighborhood.

pool. for sure

It depends on how long I was staying in the house. So many buyers are rejecting homes with pools that I'd be hesitant to put one in.

Maureen Dempsey Pools aren't that popular in my area so I would go with re-doing the outdoor living space.

This depends on the part of the U.S. and the specific property and neighborhood. You do not want to overdevelop so it is the highest valued home on the block.

We have a short season, pools are not that popular here

None as no changes are needed this summer.  Also, summer is almost over.