 Local residents pay a premium to live in the district, but WTOP business reporter Jeff Claybaugh says it may be worth it. Rent Cafe's list of best metros for renters includes a quality of life category, and D.C. is number one there. Good marks for parks and the social scene. Half of D.C. apartments are in what Rent Cafe calls top locations. More than a third of renters use public transportation, bike, or walk.