We had a great time in Rio staying at Pauline and Rodrigo's house ! The neighbourhood is really nice and feels safe. In 10 minutes walk, you are on Catete street, with 2 metro stations (Gloria or Catete) and many buses stopping by. It was a great area to live more like a carioca than a tourist ! And in the street, the "Bar do Zé" is a great spot to have a beer or a caïpirinha ;-)
Pauline and Rodrigo, and their sweet daughter, were really welcoming and we feel like home in our appartment just below the house.
We highly recommend !