You’re right, it doesn’t impress.
Reps and (especially) Senators shouldn’t need to “live” in DC to do their ... ahem... public service. It’s all BS, and we all know it, and they all know it. It’s time to end the lifelong “career” on Capitol Hill.
A Senator or Rep from the West who actually does his job has to live in DC or not see his family. On the other hand I’m aware of a couple of reps from safe districts who live in the district. They commute to Washington and work 3 1/2 day weeks.