Rome neighborhood advice

Trastevere is my favorite. Very quaint.
Centro storico, i.e. anywhere from Campo dei Fiori to Piazza di Spagna, passing through Navona and Trevi, is very convenient but more crowded with tourists and more expensive.
Prati (near Vatican) is a more residential, upscale, neighborhood. Fewer tourists, but more distant from sights, albeit well served by the metro (subway) line A.

Campo de Fiore! Can walk to the Spanish Steps with all the sights along to way, can even walk to Vatican although it's a hike, but on bus line, nice places to eat and not crowded.

Trastevere!

Northern end of Trastevere!

Base your lodging around your itinerary. What activities does your family plan to do? For my first trip to Rome, I stayed in the Monti rione because much of my sightseeing was close to that area (Roman Forum, Colosseum, Baths of Caracalla, etc.). For my second trip, I stayed in Centro Storico close to the Pantheon. Fantastic central location to walk to all activities I did.

For reference, if you book early, there are tons of budget-friendly choices in Monti.

Happy travels!

I stayed in Prati and enjoyed it. It’s a nice neighborhood, just a bit more modern (no winding lanes). That also makes it easier to find your way around. If your plans include the Vatican, you’re right there. The Roman sights are right off the Metro line, super easy with no changes. Plenty of restaurants and the like around, including the city’s largest indoor market (didn’t visit.) Prati seems to be home to a lot of reasonably priced Airbnb.

Thank you so much for all your input! We ended up booking in Trastevere as we found one there that was nice and in our budget with room enough for all 5!