"Best cities" is rarely a worthwhile gauge IMO. With Anaheim and San Jose, take it from me as a frustrated CA Republitarian, you'd only get irritable and angry being surrounded by commies and still subjected to all CA polices. Even the Spokane recommendation came with the caveat about Eastern Washingtonians trying to separate themselves from the West (much like Eastern Oregonians). They are all still subjected to state laws (the "too close to Idaho" comment was great though :) ). Boise is good because it's in a conservative state. In fact I would submit that Idaho residents make cracks about Boise being too liberal.
This is also funny because one of the most liberal people in my office just took a job as a Professor at Washington State in Spokane, and was mentioning they were going to need to deal with his wife having to work in a research facility across the border in Moscow, where all the conservative nutjobs are (though Moscow is considered kinda like the Austin of Idaho).
Best states is the best way to judge.
EDIT: Also, thinking about it, I think it would be much easier for a conservative to live in liberal city in a conservative state, and vice versa. I think Austin, TX, or Sun Valley, ID would be a cakewalk compared to where I live now.
