Used cars - Is there really a difference between highway and city miles?

Yes

City miles = short trips, which means the engine oil doesn't get properly heated which can lead to excess wear. More stop & go driving can prematurely wear the brakes and many other driveline components as well.

seems like more stop and go driving would wear on a vehicle more than "highway miles"

it makes sense, no idea if it is based on facts though

Just buy a car that lived it's life in the south.

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I get that but seems like more of a selling point or marketing buzzword than a real thing

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Your sentence is a contradiction. You "get that" city mileage prematurely wears many components of your vehicle but just don't believe it?

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Explain the difference please

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On the highway the car is cruising at a relatively low RPM, should be very little to no stooping and starting, should be mostly smooth roads. Highway miles are much better for a car than an equivalent amount of stop and go miles in a city.

What I'm asking is would that actually make much difference to you if buying a used car? High miles is still high miles in my judgment

Higher the average speed = fewer hours on the engine

I read cars need about 15 minutes of driving to properly warm up. If you only take 10-15 minute drives, your motor is constantly in lower normal operating temps. Start and stop is harder on the motor. Once they are in constant movement, motors are properly lubricated and run more efficient.

By way of example, I put 700 miles a week on my car - driving 350 miles Monday and 350 miles Friday. Now with 130,000 miles it still looks and drives like a much newer vehicle. Brakes haven't been done in more than 70,000 miles, engine and suspension are in top shape. I understand "highway miles" is a selling point/buzzword but it can have legitimate meaning for buyers.