Naples - which neighborhood for a week's stay?
 

We’re planning to be in Naples in early October for about a week, and are trying to figure out which neighborhood to stay in.

We'd like to find a neighborhood from which we can walk or take easy public transport to the train station, since we’ll be doing day trips to Pompeii, Herculaneum, Paestum, maybe Mt. Vesuvius. As for other places we'd want to get to, there would be a few sights and general walking around in the Centro Storico, the archeological museum, Museo Capodimonte, maybe Museo del Novecento in Castel Sant’Elmo. We may also do a ferry day trip to Capri (although is that better done from Amalfi, where we’ll likely be later?).

The centro storico seems to be a good place for transport convenience, but the hyperactivity may get a bit wearying over a week, so we’re considering whether to stay at some other location (we would get to see the Centro Storico no matter what). Perhaps Chiaia or Vomero? Santa Lucia also seems to be a poss. We generally look for neighborhoods that have a more local feel, and with cafes and restaurants that are not primarily for tourists. Likewise, would prefer something residential rather than being primarily hotels. (We don’t need a ton of eating options since we plan to rent an apartment, but it would be good to have a decent supermarket nearby - not sure if the centro storico would have this.) An artsy neighborhood would be a plus, although we would not spurn upscale. La Sanita appears to have bohemian aspects, but not sure how safe it is.

Would appreciate any thoughts, both on transportation and the character of these or other neighborhoods - or if it nevertheless makes more sense to stay in Centro Storico. Thanks!

We stayed at the B&B Medea in the historical center and would stay there if we went back to Naples.

We stayed for a week in a B&B close to the Duomo:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-and-paris.cfm

Ideally I'd aim for an apartment around Piazza Bellini.

Thanks for the suggestions. And Marija, your TR makes great reading! Any particular reason for suggesting the area around Piazza Bellini?

www.costantinopoli104.com We had a very nice stay at this hotel. Very secure.

Near good small restaurants and one of Naples best museum.

My son who is studying in Florence went to Napels last week and was quite worried about the crime/robberies, etc. Be wary...

Thanks for all the replies.
We think we'll stay in the historical center, probably towards the west end near the Piazza Dante/Piazza del Gesu/Piazza Bellini, since it may be less frenetic than the absolute heart of the historical center, but still relatively convenient to what we want to see. And if we get lazy, we could always take the metro to the train station for our day trips.
I'll probably not get around to making our booking for a few days, so please let me know if any further thoughts.