Is there a reason why homes in St. George don't have basements? (construction)

[Heavy winds]

Why don't many home in St. George have basements or did we just miss something. Just curious.

[NearlyNative]

Foundations have to extend below the frost line in locations that freeze in the winter. If the foundation has to go down four feet, it's just as easy to go eight feet and get a basement. St. George doesn't get cold enough to warrant a foundation below slab-on-grade, so basements in St. Geogre are optional. The only thing you are missing is snow in the winter.

[Heavy winds]

Thank you now we know!! That makes since.

Heavy Winds

[Heavy winds]

This sounds dumb, but, does it stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer in the basement? Thanks we have not had any experience with basements. Is the basement easier to keep warmer or cooler? Appreciate your time here.

Heavy Winds

[NearlyNative]

My basement doesn't seem any cooler in the summer, but we don't heat or cool it like the upstairs unless we have company. Of course, the outside temp is around 110, so I don't expect it to be very cool anyway. It is a little cooler in the winter, though. We have gas heat upstairs and electric downstairs. The flue pipe has to run straight up for a gas furnace and it wasn't possible in the location we had in the basement, so we had to have electric. I would have prefered gas, but the mechanics didn't work out.
Be aware of the water table if you are building a basement and take drainage precautions; leech lines, perf pipe, water pump, gravel rocks below the foundation, etc. if there is even a trace of water during construction. A wet, damp or flooded basement isn't fun.