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Tucson for sure. Phoenix and Vegas have the heat island effect thanks to all the buildings and concrete. In the summer, that means the cities rarely feel the effects of the drastic desert temperature swings. In Tucson, it may get to 115 like the others, but it can cool off to the high 70s and 80s in the evening. Additionally, Tucson is surrounded by 5 scenic mountain ranges at elevations of 7,000 feet. You can be among the aspens in July in less than 40 minutes.
Phoenix is sprawled and hot. Vegas is touristy and hot.
Out of those choices I would pick Tucson, it's just a more laid-back, friendlier city. Phoenix is too sprawling, like a smaller version of LA. I like areas away from the Vegas strip, Henderson is fine. My favorite desert area is the Coachella Valley though, it's probably the hottest and driest of them all.
Agree with most, but disagree the temps are the same in Phoenix and Tucson. You live in Tucson and don't know that? More specifically, Tucson is higher in elevation than Phoenix by about 1,500 feet. This creates a slightly milder temperature, especially as the sun drops. There are areas surrounding Tucson (specifically Oro Valley or up in the foothills) that reach a bit higher still and have temps that are slightly below the city center.
Phoenix will stay well into the 90s through midnight and offers very little relief at any time of the day in the summer. It's closer to sea level and as others have said, full of concrete and way more lawns and pools, which can add humidity (comparably).
Vegas is the least naturally attractive since it's not in the Sonoran Desert, and it is typically drier as well. And temps in Vegas tend to be lower in the winter time, which is when you don't want them to be.
Agree with most, but disagree the temps are the same in Phoenix and Tucson. You live in Tucson and don't know that? More specifically, Tucson is higher in elevation than Phoenix by about 1,500 feet. This creates a slightly milder temperature, especially as the sun drops. There are areas surrounding Tucson (specifically Oro Valley or up in the foothills) that reach a bit higher still and have temps that are slightly below the city center.
Phoenix will stay well into the 90s through midnight and offers very little relief at any time of the day in the summer. It's closer to sea level and as others have said, full of concrete and way more lawns and pools, which can add humidity (comparably).
Vegas is the least naturally attractive since it's not in the Sonoran Desert, and it is typically drier as well. And temps in Vegas tend to be lower in the winter time, which is when you don't want them to be.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kmanshouse
No.
Look at the temps at 10pm and 7am in the two cities on any given day and the difference is probably 10 degrees. At midnight, more like 15.
Middle of the day the difference is less, but it's still 3-7 degrees cooler in Tucson, usually (not all the time).
Also, it just FEELS hotter in Phoenix due to the congestion and concrete everywhere. And more cars.
I know my profile says Illinois, but I lived in Tucson for a few years, much of my family is there. Been there dozens of times.
I don't know if you are referring to me, but I clearly know that Tucson and Phoenix have different temperatures. I have lived in both for extensive periods of time. I am a born and raised Arizonan. I think you misread that I was comparing PHOENIX and VEGAS, not Tucson where I currently spend most of my time, with roughly a quarter of my time in Phoenix.
Vegas and Phoenix have next to no comparison at all in temperatures. There are days Vegas is hotter, and days Phoenix is hotter. Vegas has less rain I believe so more sun, less monsoon season... That can be a good or bad thing depending on the person. Most desert lovers hate the monsoon season so in a way Vegas wins there.
Tucson is clearly a tad colder but the difference is almost negligible in the summer heat. Believe me if you already feel like you're melting, the rough 5-10 degree difference isn't enough. The heat directly matters here if you have direct sun on you or not. 115 in the sun can result to 90s in the shade here at the same time... It's true. 100 at night is better than 100 in the day. So what matters most is finding some sun coverage. I tell people that as long as the area has had extended shade, it can be as much as a 20 degree difference. Finding shade is key to living in a desert climate.
So what I'm saying is when you are already looking at very hot places, the weather between them will be negligible. You will feel hot anyway. You should be comparing the city amenities and which one fits your needs more.
IMO, the Coachella Valley of Southern California is the nicest desert area in the US.
Phoenix is too sprawling, Tucson is too rundown and Vegas is too, well, Vegas.
Is that the Palm Springs area ?
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