I stayed in the room–on the second floor–with the window facing the backyard for several weeks. I mostly worked from home.
• Shelly is welcoming, conversational, and matter-of-fact. She is very active, busy, but accommodating and resourceful at the same time. She was always communicative and receptive when I needed something, or if there was a temporary problem in the house (heat, hot water, or kitchen-related).
• Location: 5 min to a bus stop, 10 min to major grocery store, tram line, many stores and restaurants on St Claire, and 20 min walk North to Eglinton for more African or Jamaican restaurants. Several laundromats 10 min walk away—I preferred Bruno's. The neighborhood is full of seniors, or families with very young children.
• The bedroom was cozy, spacious and felt private (with they key lock) for me. It's furnished with a twin-sized bed, desk, closet, dresser, book shelf, and beside table.
• There's a florescent light (white light) on the wall and small desk lamp (warm light) that flickers but fine when you adjust it into the right position. During the days, the room was filled with natural light. I recommend a sleeping mask because it's quite bright in spite of the blinds.
• The house is kept warm, although the bedroom temperature feels quite exposed to the outside [weather]; I was rather chilly although even with a heating vent under the desk. Shelly also provided a reliable space heater.
• The twin-sized bed squeaks with certain movements, but mostly fine. I slept well on the firm mattress.
• The internet was generally reliable but would become cripplingly slow a few times a day. Luckily, a public library is 8 min walk away which has fast, reliable internet.
• The hot water, and water pressure in the bathroom is excellent.
• While the structure of the decades-old house is strong, sounds from within travels through the house clearly. I couldn't hear noises from outside the house. However, I could hear people using the bathroom, the hallway outside the bedroom door, and kitchen—where most of the family, and activity, situate when at home. The sound of the running fish tank reaches the bedroom, which could either be an ambient sound, or trigger on your bladder. I really enjoyed it when I could sit in the sun-lit porch during the day.
• There's a lot packed into the very equipped kitchen. Shelly will make space when I asked, or needed space to cook/eat. I preferred working around their schedule, and cooking (simple recipes) separately. The stovetop, and microwave are best. The oven works but is packed with equipment.
• The disabled, senior dog is a sweet heart. I'm not very experienced with dogs, but it should be better if you establish boundaries so he knows not to ask you for food, or to be released from his crate (he's comfortable in it). He can't control his poops, so be aware of him on the floor, or the smell if it's in the crate. It's cleaned right away when the adults are home.
• Perhaps the biggest effect on my stay was the senior family member living in the house. (A caretaker comes for a few hours almost every day to care for her—they are very friendly and professional.) She is gentle, and has a benign fixation with opening doors. When she's unsupervised, or on the move during dark hours in the mornings, she will knock and try to open doors throughout the house. Eventually, she accepted my presence, and stopped knocking on my bedroom but it takes time [for you and her] to adjust. I would also warn future guests to be cautious with foods (packaged, being cooked, or served/exposed), because she will try to access foods within her sight and reach. When this happened, Shelly was apologetic and compensated the errors—I appreciated her responses.