Suggestions for a base near Rome

Tivoli or Frascati are near Roma. Commuter trains are frequent, cost less than €10 roundtrip, and stop at various stations in Roma.

Is there something in Roma you want to avoid? It would be much more efficient to stay in the city. Also nice to walk around at night when the monuments and fountains are lighted. There are many reasonably priced guest houses (most run by religious communities) in the city, if that's a consideration.

I would consider the district of Trastevere instead. It's just across the Tiber river from the historical center (Trans Tevere=across the Tiber), but it has a small town feel.

The problem with staying in a town away from the city is that public transportation, including regional commuter trains but especially extraurban buses,, stops at a certain time in the evening, therefore that would prevent you from enjoying the vibrancy of Rome in the evenings after dinner, because you might miss the last ride to your town. Rome is full of life until very late into the night, much like NYC, Paris, and the other greatest cities of the world. You shouldn't miss that. Go to Trastevere.

Once we stay on the outskirts of Rome and it was a super pain getting in and out of the city. Never again. I would recommend staying in Rome unless you have a critical reason for staying outside of Rome.

Try the number one B&B in the Rome area--OliveTreeHill.com.
They are in Zagarolo--south of Rome. Ivano is a great tour guide and he will also cook for you if you wish. He will run. You you to and from the train.station where it is about 20 minutes into Termini
There are about as many tourist sights in the suburbs as there are in Rome.

Voting with Zoe, Roberto and Frank here: if central Rome is where you intend to spend most of your time, then that's where you should stay, and especially so you're a first-timer to the city. The early mornings and evenings are great times to be out and about, and you may miss those if staying on the fringes.

Besides, while there are things to see on the outskirts, my guess is that it's those in the core that you may want to concentrate on this first time?

If it's staying in a tourist center which bothers you, there are areas which have a more residential feel. Prati, for instance, on the north side of the river is very nice yet less occupied by visitors than some other neighborhoods. Also, central Rome feels a lot less like a "city" - with skyscrapers and boxy buildings of steel and glass - than you may envision. Much of it is very old, by American standards, and there are umptybumpty "charms" to be found around too many corners to mention. We never get tired of just walking and marveling!

Why waste 2 hours a day commuting?

Thanks, everyone, for your kind replies! I see now that there are quieter neighborhoods in Rome where I can make the most of my time there, and not spend 2 hours a day on the train!

I'm holding rooms at Hotel San Anselmo (Aventino), B&B Maru Shelter (Prati), and Hotel Trastevere. Anyone have experience with these hotels? I've heard that rooms facing an inner courtyard are quieter, so I will ask for that.

Thanks again!

I would also recommend Trastevere. Hotel Trastevere is an excellent choice if it fits your budget. It has Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere in front of it, popular with tourists and street musicians. But behind (south of) the hotel is the very charming triangular Piazza San Cosimato which has a morning market and functions as the living room for locals. There's a VERY good gelateria Fatamorgana in the southwest point of the piazza. Yummy.

I also recommend staying in Rome. It is so much better to get around from inside the city.

We rented an apartment near the Pantheon, and thought it was the perfect location.