salt water systems

Are salt water systems the preferred way to go?

It depends on what you prefer! ;)

If you mean, are they universally the superior option, then the answer is, "No".

If you consider a small in-ground pool with adequate circulation and good filtration, as well as a conscientious pool owner following the 'BBB Method' (what we teach hear) buying dichlor at Sams Club for $2.25/lb and borax at Walmart; and compare that with the same owner using an SWCG (Salt Water Chlorine Generator) . . .

the BBB method will be
+ MUCH cheaper initially
+ somewhat cheaper over a 3year life period for the SWCG
+ about the same work
+ somewhat less corrosive to equipment & deck

the SWCG method will
+ be more tolerant of a somewhat inconsistent pool owner
+ will make pool care during vacations substantially easier to arrange.

I'm assuming you realize that a salt system is just a METHOD of chlorination and not an alternative to it.

Most pool owners tend to be inconsistent, so an SWCG has benefits for them. The negative factors, apart from periodic expensive cell replacement, seem acceptable. SWCG owners get into trouble when they don't understand that an SWCG can not ALWAYS provide sufficient chlorine, and fail to make up the difference.

There is one major exception. Some porous natural stone materials sometimes used for decking seem to accumulate salt from the pool water -- probably as a result of splash-out and evaporation -- and suffer severe damage as a result. This is apparently more common in some areas of Texas and southern California. We're not sure if this is due to greater evaporation, or the types of stone used, or a combination.

There is another option. You can add salt to a pool that does not have a Salt Water Chlorine Generator if it's the feel of th water you are after. You'd need to chlorinate using the BBB method.

FWIW, I'd never do anything but a SWCG pool.