Hmm. My go-to explanation is phrased in terms of other cities of the of west - i.e. that Phoenix has the sincerity of Los Angeles and the culture of Dallas. It's a soulless corporate wasteland, is what I'm saying. It's also reliably 10 degrees warmer than Tucson, and it has fascist icon Joe Arpaio, one of the worst people in America, in a position of authority.

Tucson has some actual culture - which is a lot more important than climate to me. You can get used to the weather in most places. The culture, on the other hand, might actively dislike you.