In Italian is there a difference between abito a Roma and vivo a Roma? Which is used more commonly?

Question

Answer

Abitare means reside, vivere means live. I guess "abito" is a bit more formal/burocratic. Both are commonly used, they express the same idea.

Answer

Suppose somebody meets the following circumstances:
1) he is a commuter, 
2) his house is at Ostia (40 kilometers from Rome, on the seaside)
3) the school where he teaches is  in Rome
4) his girlfriend lives in Rome, and she often invites him and cooks for him.

In this case he should say:
Abito a Ostia, ma vivo a Roma
and NOT:
Vivo a Ostia, ma abito a Roma (would be a false statement)

Answer

There isn't difference, they are both used.

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