Hi,

My friend has narrowed her search to the two apartments below. I am not that familiar with the locations, so I would appreciate any opinions as to which is better/worse, etc.

Also, there seem to be people who can look at apartments on-line and point out the good and bad immediately. I'm not one of them. So, any opinions, positives/negatives, etc., would be greatly appreciated!!

#1 - http://www.vrbo.com/105547 in the Trastavere area on the Via Conte Verde

#22 - http://www.vrbo.com/78261 on the Via Mecenate, 27

Thank you.

I haven't been to Rome yet, but am in the midst of an apartment search myself so have been looking at tons of websites. To me the Trastevere apartment looks better if the neighborhood and locale will meet your friend's needs. I may be wrong, but 78261 looks awfully cramped from the pictures.

Do a search under Franco and there is a posting from about a year and a half ago that describes all about locations for apartment rentals. I found the info immensely helpful.

Hello Celiaane, between the two apartments I would defintly chose #205547. The other one is not as spacious looking..and I note #205547 does not require a deposit in advance, payment to me made in cash on arrival. That is nice. Also I would chose the location of #205547 versus the second apartment.

Hi celiaanne,

neither of these apartments is very central. For that you need to be looknig at the campo dei fiori and piazza navona areas.

That said, trastevere is quite a vibrant area to be in, with plenty of restaurants, and not too far from the centro storico or the vatican. there's a thread by a woman who spent a month living in trastevere which is very interesting if you can find it. But this apartment has only got one bedroom which could be a snag if there are more than two of you, unless you are very friendly.

the other one is bigger, [has two bedrooms] but is not very central at all. you'd spend a lot of time on the metro or bus. it's right be a park, but I'm not sure what else there is in that area.

there are lots of other agencies on slow travel or google. I'd suggest having a bit more of a search for something more central, personally.

regards, ann

Where did you get the name of Via Conte Verde? I didn't see street named on the website, but I don't think that can be right, as that's nowhere near Trastavere. It's in the far eastern section of Rome, a long way from where you would want to be. I agree that the other on Via Mecenate is not that great for location either.

Do you know why she has picked these two?

RE the apartment: http://www.vrbo.com/78261 on the Via Mecenate, 27

If you go on that vrbo page and click on "owner's website", you connect with a website for several central apartments.

Now, if you click on "central apartments", you see not only the Mecenate apartment but also one in via del Babuino, where we once stayed.

It rents for the same price as the Mecenate one.

The Babuino apartment is also listed on vrbo under the "Spanish Steps" listings -- can't remember the vrbo number, sorry.

Anyway: the Babuino apartment is LARGE, splendidly located near the Spanish Steps, quite quiet at night. It is also a bit barked-up -- needs a good coat of paint and a bit of a scrub-down.

But for the space -- and a decent bath and kitchen -- and some quite nice antiques -- it can't be beaten.

julies, thanks. I sent that thread to my friend.

LoveItaly, thanks!

annhig, thank you. Her budget is about $200/night, so it is difficult to find an apartment for 4 (mother, son, daughter and granddaughter) in the center for that price.

SusanP, I'm not sure where she got the street name. I know she has been corresponding with them, so maybe they told her. As to why those two -- probably the age-old reason = $$

tedgale, thank you!! I will pass along that information. She might have already checked on it but it's not available... I'll be sure to let her know your recommendation.

Apartment hunting is soooo difficult!! Thanks for the help.