Thread: Question about basements

Having grown up in the Midwest, I was used to every house I ever saw having a basement.
It only occurred to me recently that they seem to be extremely rare in SoCal and in AZ.

Anybody know the reason for that?
I have a few guesses, but they don't seem right to me.
No tornadoes, so you don't need em?
More land available in the West, so most people didn't build them?
Caliche?

Anyone know?

Land is premium out here and would you want to be in one should an earthquake occur? I'd love a basement but I married a guy who loves palm trees and sunshines therefore killing any hope of every moving out of 'paradise'.

The land is premium comment is counter-intuitive, that would be a great reason to have a basement.
The earthquake idea makes sense though.
Anyone else? Is it just about earthquakes?

I was told it is due to climate and geological differences. Something to do with having to dig deeper due to freezing temps causing issues for home foundations... I was also told by some developers that the deeper you dig close to the ocean also can cause issues with water damage. (One of my brother's friends lives on the water in Malibu and had some water damage to his property due to a neighboring home's basement.

I have always wondered and have also felt deprived. Anybody knows what the rent is these days in Madison?

No tornadoes in Southern California is the main reason.

_
Probably a combination of water table, soil make-up, and a little bit of earthquake issues thrown in.

Cheaper?

Now they are building them in the newer tracts and custom homes.

Most houses in cold climates have them because you need to dig footings bellow the frost line, which in may me up to 6'. Digging is pretty cheap, so if you already digging a 6' hole, why not an 8' one and have a basement? In warm climates with no chance of tornados, there is little reason to go through the expense of digging a big hole and building a whole basement.