Florence in a few days, where to stay??

Just got back, I had an appartment in Santa Croce, it was perfect.
Anything within a 10-15 minute walk from piazza della signoria will be very good I think.
It is a great city eveywhere.

Anywhere in the historical center.
Oltrarno, on the southern bank of the river Arno, is slightly less crowded.

We are budget travelers and 3 of our four visits to Florence we've stayed a few blocks off the obnoxiously noisy via Nationale near the SMN train station on the via Faenza. I've read that this area is somewhat dodgy, but I've never thought so myself. It's within 10 minutes of the train station one way and less than that from the San Lorenzo area. Via Faenza itself is a fairly quiet street.

I've also stayed on via Faenza on my 3 visits and it was fine. Great location.

I have never read that via Faenza area is dodgy. I have been staying at Albergo Giovanna since 1976. Great location, inexpensive, clean, basic accommodation. Via Faenza 69.

Hotel Spadai. Great hotel, perfect location.

We stayed at Hotel Loggiato dei Serviti for three nights with our Rick Steves VFR tour in May. We were very pleased with the accommodations and service. It's a very convenient location, just a few blocks from the Duomo. We had a view of the dome from our room.

thank you for all of the suggestions. They have been a great help!!

Unlike a larger city like Rome, I personally don't think location matters as much for Florence.
It is so small you can easily walk to all the sites from any place in the walled city are or in the area on the other side of the Arno river, especially if staying 3 nights.

If you want to be part of the hustle and bustle stay more central around a piazza. If you want more piece and quiet the other side of the Arno can provide that but you may require a taxi from the train station and back if you have heavy luggage.

We stayed on the other side of the river up on a hill near the Piazzale Michelangelo ; great views up there. Easy to walk down into town, not as easy to walk back up, lol
We needed a parking spot for a car so it was the best option for us, without a car I probably would have stayed near to one of the piazzas like the Duomo or Santa Croce.

We love the Hotel Balesteri, on the Arno close to city center. It is a very nice four star hotel and price is good.