I also use an ISP that doesn't provide a POP server.
I tried gmail when it was first launched but didn't like it.
Sure it's probably improved a lot, but I didn't like the idea of data mining either.
I ended up simply downgrading my original dial-up ISP account (one I had before joining the current ISP) back to a cheap $10 per month plan which preserved my whole family's original 6 email addresses. Worked well as I didn't have to send out bulk email for each email account notifying everyone of the change or having to change email address for any of the countless forum's and other things I have registered with over the last two decades.
I just use current ISP to access the old ISP's POP server and Bob's yer uncle.

I even access it thru the phone.