People commonly think of the city as being distinctly divided between dentro le porte, which includes everything within the old medieval city walls, also known as the centro storico or center, and fuoriporta, which includes everything beyond those walls.
In the center you are more likely to find older buildings, characteristic streets, and the convenience of having everything you might want within walking distance. But the prices soar.
Areas outside the walls are more residential, the buildings are newer, and rents are often cheaper. Keep in mind that Bologna has a good bus service and nothing is too far away. Below you will find a guide to some of the neighborhoods in and around Bologna.

Centro (Malpighi / Galvani / S. Stefano)
The center's small medieval streets and old buildings are attractive. Around the university the streets are always busy and packed with students day and night. This area is very lively, with lots of bars, markets, and shops, but it also attracts a counter-culture element that might not be attractive to a family with small children. The area running from Piazza Maggiore towards the south is residential, quiet, and beautiful. There are old palazzi with hidden garden courtyards, small streets, and little local shops. Prices are expensive and there is a high demand for the few available flats. Life in the center has its drawbacks. Every Italian asks the city-dweller about the horrors of parking, as the hunt for a space can be very trying, especially at night. The labyrinth of one-way streets makes getting around difficult. It can be quite noisy both day and night and parks are scarce right in the center.

Bolognina (Navile)
"Little Bologna" is situated right behind the train station, outside the walls of the centro storico. It extends from the back of the station eastward to the trade fair district. The heart of the area is Piazza dell'Unità which marks the end of Via Matteotti and the beginning of Via Corticella. The area is well serviced by public transportation as many buses make stops in Piazza dell'Unita. The ippodromo (horsetracks) lies to the north, and in the summer the open-air cinema comes to life for three months. A former working class stronghold, this area is now populated by immigrants, young families, students, artists, and older people, which makes for an interesting and eclectic mix. Rents are often lower here than in other parts of the city.

Barca / Reno
Via della Barca runs in a westerly direction in relation to the city center, originating outside the center at the intersection of via Andrea Costa and via Saragozza, just a few kilometers past the football stadium. The Barca neighborhood includes the area  off via della Barca, and the Reno area - named for the Reno river which cuts through it from south to north - is on the northern side of the Barca and extends all the way to via Emilia Ponente. Bus service is good, but the walk to a bus stop may be a little long. By car, both the tangenziale and the autostrada, as well as the city center, are readily accessible.

This is primarily a residential area, with tall apartment buildings sprouting up everywhere you look. One of the nice things about living here is the abundance of parks and greenery. Depending upon where you live, you might even hear the birds singing in the morning. There are lots of grocery stores and businesses of all kinds, but at night things are quiet. As far as nightlife is concerned, Villa Serena (www.vserena.it), which lies at the beginning of via della Barca, is open year round. It has a lovely outdoor area open in the summer plus an Internet cafe, educational courses, and a lively disco/bar with music and drinks on weekend nights.

Costa-Saragozza
Situated in the southwest part of the city, this area is conveniently close to the center in addition to retaining a pleasant, calm atmosphere. Bus service is excellent. The area has plenty of little shops, as well as some cinemas and theatres. Like zona Murri it is near the hills surrounding the city, and an added benefit of living here is that within a ten-minute walk from most places in the neighborhood you can find yourself lost in lovely green, hilly places. The area features a wonderful park, Villa Spada, and a lot of the winding side streets are very quiet. The little roads leading off of Via Saragozza into the countryside are great for runners. The nearby football stadium causes traffic chaos during season, but there is no need to worry about hooligans,  as local fans are not apt to get rowdy.
 
Colli
When someone tells you they live "in the colli", it really means they live anywhere in the hilly areas above via Toscana or in the Murri Alta, Giardini Margherita, Castiglione Alta, and San Mamolo and Saragozza Alta areas. This is the Beverly Hills of Bologna. Technically part of quartiere Santo Stefano, which also includes the Murri area and part of the centre, it is one of most expensive sections of the city. Yet in addition to many of the city's wealthiest, the area is also home to retirees, students, and middle-class families. The air in the colli is generally cleaner than in the rest of the city, the temperature is lower all year round, and there are some amazing views. On the other hand, in some places it is not  well served by the public bus system, and many of the streets are narrow and winding, with limited parking. There aren't a lot of shops, and often what you find for sale costs much more than it would in other parts of the city.

San Donato
Situated in the northeast section of the city, this area was another traditional working-class stronghold, and it still retains its community feel. There are many shops and excellent bus service makes it very accessible to the city center, while the relatively cheaper price bracket makes it popular for both students and young couples.

Mazzini
Spreading out from Porta Maggiore to the tangenziale (ring road) this area is quite diverse. Being closer the viali (the wide, tree-lined boulevard that circles the city center) is advantageous to getting around. The farther away you are from the viali, the more residential the area becomes.

Murri
This area stretches from Porta Santo Stefano out along Via Murri, and is known as a high-rent district. Part of this is due to the greenery: most of the side streets are lined with trees and one of the city's largest and nicest parks, Giardini Margherita, is at the mouth of via Murri. Nestled in the foothills of the colli bolognesi, shops and supermarkets are found here, as well as cinemas and the Sterlino swimming pool. Murri is good for those who seek unrestricted off-road parking or a garage.

San Lazzaro
San Lazzaro is a separate village just outside of Bologna on Via Emilia, but for all intents and purposes it's a part  of the city. This is a smart, well-to-do area and it boasts the wonderful Parco dei Cedri. The main street is full of little shops and restaurants. There is also a cinema and theatre. Its close proximity to makes it possible to commute to the center of Bologna while living in an area with a small-town feel, away from the chaos and maddening crowds. There are many buses that go directly to San Lazzaro, about 15 minutes east of the center, and the motorway is only  A 10 minute drive for anyone who might have to commute farther afield.

Casalecchio
This town lies southwest of Bologna and like San Lazzaro, is part of the city. It is much quieter than downtown Bologna and the pace is slower. One of Casalecchio's main attractions is Parco Talon, an enormous, beautiful and well-kept park and theather.