We absolutely love our YMCA! We've been members for about a year now, and we absolutely love it. We started off with our free military membership and got the kids into swimming lessons right away. They started at the bottom and have worked their way up. I think we know just about every single swimming instructor there, and they are all great! I've never seen such a group of responsible teens, and I'm very impressed by all of them.
We feel like we are a part of a community when we go to the YMCA. It's not an easy thing to find in a big city.
The big lap pool is a bit cold for kids. My kids' lips are always purple before class is over, which is no good. They are shivering too much to practice or learn anything.
Someone else mentioned this previously, but it is worth repeating...having only one family restroom with a shower is frustrating. We sometimes have to wait a long time to get in. If you are bringing a child with you of the opposite gender and he or she is 4 or older, make sure you get to your lessons early enough that you will have time to get changed and shower. Make sure you have plenty of time afterward for the same.
Kids gym is awesome as well! My kids LOVE IT!