I stayed at Jj's place for a month, so I can give you a detailed overview of what you can expect. TL;DR: Jj is very sweet and accommodating. If you're considering booking this place, go ahead and do it (unless you need accessibility accommodations) - you won't regret it.
- Arrival: Jj stayed at the part of the house where she could see me arrive, and helped me carry up my luggage (I had two big suitcases and three boxes, so the help was welcome!)
- House Tour: The first thing you'll get is the house tour introducing different parts of the house. She gave me the house keys, told me which items were exclusively for me to use (e.g. kitchen utensils) and shared items (e.g. clothes stand). The room had brochures and flyers for places to visit, and grocery stores nearby. It also had a "house guide" reiterating house rules and other information covered during the tour.
- The room: The room contains a sofa bed, desk and chair, bookshelf, and plenty of space for luggage. You will be provided with hangers, two bath towels, a laundry bag, and spare bed linens. The ceiling has glow-in-the-dark stars, so you can fall asleep under the stars in the quiet of the night.
- Neighbourhood: Ossington Subway Station is 10-15 minutes by walking. The house is in a residential neighbourhood, so the nights are very quiet. Christie Pits park is about a 10-minute walk away.
- Interactions with Jj: She would always greet me with a smile, and ask me how my day went. Any time she planned to be out of the house for an extended period of time, she would keep me posted via text. If anything needed repairing, she would keep me posted regarding the status of repairs. Having been born and brought up in Toronto, Jj could frequently share with me her extensive knowledge of where things were in town, and how best to use money efficiently (where to shop, dine, etc.)
WATCH OUT FOR:
- Stairs: There are quite a few stairs, so this is not ideal for people needing accessibility accommodations.
- No Microwave: There is no microwave. For heating foods, you have the option of using the toaster oven, the oven, or the stove (utensils are provided).
- Central AC: The AC is centralized, so you will have to work with Jajube to find an agreeable thermostat setting. The room has a pedestal fan, which you can use on hot days.
All in all, this is a great find for the price. As I previously mentioned, Jj is very accommodating, so if you need something, just talk to her and she can help you out.