Central AC or death. And a pool is life changing for a family. We’ve had both in every home we’ve lived in, current included.
Pools get a bad rap. Until you have one. Then you never go back. Ever. Unless you live directly on a lake or the ocean.
My updated 50's brick rancher is perfect. When we looked at homes over a decade ago, we must have walked over 100. Most homes not only had weird layouts, but were cheaply made and had no firm sense of character. I love the look, materials, floor plan, feel and bonus pool, hot tub room and spare shop in the back. Your home should be productive and holistic not consumptive and restrictive.