Just got back from 10 full days in Rome. It was not our first trip ( last time was 5 years ago)
In the past I stayed near Termini ( hated it), near the Vatican ( it was o.k.) and just above the Spanish Steps ( liked it).
This time we were lucky to stay in an apt. in residential Parioli.
3-5 day visitors to Rome have no ime to see some of the lovely residential districts - what a difference : tree lined streets, beautiful buildings with million and up euros apt., huge parks, no tourists.
Nothing like "dirty, crowded " Rome some experienced. It is indeed a very large city , not easy to get around so many usually stay in
Pantheon - Navona area all the time . Too bad.

some observations:

-the lines for the major attractions expended exponentially after the May 1 st.
- day trips to Orvieto and Ostia Antica were wonderful. Highly recommended

- Roma Pass is a good deal .
- seven day bus - metro ticket for 16 euros pp. is also a good deal.

- we were told by friends in Rome to be careful on public transit because of so much theft .They were very saddened with what has been going on their city and blamed the influx of
Easter Europeans for the increase in crime
- Italians we had contact with from shopkeepers to bus drivers, from internet point employees to waiters,
were all very kind, friendly, helpful, and always complementary about my (poor) Italian.
- I was sorry to see so much graffiti defacing a beautiful city and making it look "dirty".
- except for older ladies and gents, and some very elegant businessmen and "ladies who lunch ", many people wear jeans ( usually dark and tight )or rather ordinary, nondescript clothing .