A big component missing here is location within a city. Having been in DC and Boston, they're on the edge of buy/rent, but a big question is could I live in the

A big component missing here is location within a city. Having been in DC and Boston, they're on the edge of buy/rent, but a big question is could I live in the same neighborhoods or areas as I rent. If I can't, it's worth renting even if buying might be better because it's closer to where I want to be.