Lina

My son is considering spending his spring semester as an exchange student in Rome...in Trastevere, to be exact. I cannot find any study abroad forums, so am turning to my trusted friends on Fodors for advice.

When we were in Rome two years ago, we heard that Trastevere was the "in" place but we didn't visit. I've read lots of recent posts and reviews range from "sleazy" and "dirty" to "lively" and "wonderful."

Obviously, he is studying abroad to immerse himself in local culture and have opportunities to travel and learn about Italy. My only concern is safety. Living near Washington, DC, I know how quickly neighborhoods can change from trendy to downright dangerous.

Would you feel comfortable if your college student was living in Trastevere? Thanks.

Nikki

I have not spent enough time in Trastevere to give an authoritative answer, but the one evening we did spend there made me think it would be the perfect place for a college student.

The streets and restaurants we saw were filled with young people. We ended up having dinner next to a long table of twenty-something Romans celebrating a birthday by passing around platters of pasta. On our other side was a teenage couple on a date, choosing carefully to get the most affordable thing on the menu and split it. My own teenage daughter felt right at home there.

Eloise

I make no claim to deep knowledge of Trastevere either, but the one day that I spent walking around there leads me to believe that there is Trastevere and Trastevere.

It's really quite a large area, and most of the restaurants etc. are located in a relatively small area close to the Tiber and near the church of Santa Maria in Trastevere.

The far side of Viale Trastevere -- away from St. Peter's; I've never been able to tell east from west -- seemed to me poorer, more rundown and with fewer restaurants and cafes.

Most of the area that I walked through was within a few blocks of the Tiber; I have no idea what the part of Trastevere that is further from the river is like.

hdm

We stayed in Trastevere for a week in May and like Nikki, we saw many young people in the cafes and on the streets (but not in a loitering way). It seemed a very lively neighbourhood and we felt very safe. That said, it was only Santa Maria/San Francesco area of Trastevere we explored and I don't know the other neighbourhoods. I think you need to search information about your son's specific neighbourhood and its surrounds rather than Trastevere in general. Maybe the department that organizes visits for foreign students at his school would have some more detailed information.

Grinisa

I've spent a lot of time in Trastevere and can't think of any part of it that would be sleazy or dirty other than the Porta Portese Flea Market on Sunday. Lots of young people everywhere. I would not be worried about my college-aged son or daughter staying there.

Henry

We have stayed in Tratevere twice ( a week each time)Once in 2004 with our 10 yr old grandson and just this past April with our 9 year old granddaughter. We had a great time on both visits. I agree with the above posters, there were a lot of young people about in the evenings but never saw any rowdys. We always felt very safe and comfortable.

Lina

Thank you for your replies...I feel better! His university is close to the river and Santa Maria in Trastevere church. He has no idea where he'll be living, but I imagine the students hang out around the university.