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It's one of the most important aspects because you want to fit in. If the population is full of people who don't share your views, even the biggest house with the best view will not be worth buying. I do plenty of research (using city-data of course!) to examine all the places I consider, even when traveling.
Strangely, though I put myself in the bluest part of the spectrum (libertarian and socially liberal, except on immigration), I don't really like being around like-minded people. I find the people of Boulder CO, SF, and NYC to be rude and self-absorbed, while people in small red-state American towns are friendlier and more welcoming--at least until they know my politics! Two Bush supporters have vandalized my car and threatened me because of one of my bumper stickers. So, choosing locations using a social and political yardstick is extremely important if not just for one's sense of safety!
I would prefer more similarities than not. Some aspects of an area's political philosophy can translate into high taxes, hostile to business, inefficient social programs etc. and not everyone wants that.
Political atmosphere supercedes social atmosphere for alot of people as they get older. It wasn't long ago I would have had the desire to live in Boston. Now its hard to imagine I'd have that sentiment: no way, no how! When you start to comprehend better how your money is spent and how invasive government is particularly in big cosmopolitan cities, the social life is simply not worth the trade-off. I've got the best of both worlds as far as I'm concerned: relative quietness, the ocean 5 minutes away, the mountains less than two hours away, less intrusive government, yet an hour to Boston if I so choose! I've also known alot of people who have a strong urge to move some where like Manhattan, assuming that they will have all the nightlife and all the Broadways shows at their doorstep- only problem is once you live day-to-day, many find out you don't utilize these venues any more than if you lived hours away, whether it be because of expenses, time, or complacency.
I have lived in one of the liberal areas of the country- Southern Vermont. I love and adore Vermont eventhough I sometimes felt like I was visiting another planet when politics were discussed. Sometimes I felt looked down-on for my conservative views even by people I considered friends. I regretably had to leave Vermont although I still have family there and visit often. But I did not leave due lack of conservative bretheran!
The bottom line is I would never let the political climate affect my choice of where I want to live. A beautiful natural setting is high on my list of must haves in life, and I find an appreciation of the outdoors and the natural world is one of the things I have in common with those on the left.
Living in an agreeable area is dull. So I live in Greenwich Village.
...this really made me laugh
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