My stay was an absolutely unbelievable experience, even to the extent that I feel ruined for other places. Staying with Deb was as comfortable as it could possibly be. I felt welcomed, safe, and relaxed while staying with Deb and Francine.
Firstly, Deb and Francine are amazing and wonderful people. I was nervous to be in Toronto living alone for the first time, and they both went above and beyond to help me feel well integrated into the neighborhood while also maintaining enough distance so that everyone felt physically safe (re: COVID) and that I had enough privacy. Deb and Francine frequently looked out for me and checked in with me every few days through text and were masked when we interacted, which I found to be very considerate of them, and they were always extremely accessible, with almost immediate responses from either host. They never came into the allotted space without getting my explicit consent first and were extremely respectful of my own space and privacy. They were always available if I needed any help (e.g., if the WiFi blinked out for a second) and shared resources with me before I even knew I needed them.
Not only this, but Deb and Francine are wonders when it comes to knowing the local area and finding the best places to go to. They opened my eyes to local Toronto (which is different from tourist Toronto, and much better) through endless recommendations and discussions about festivals, farmer's markets, restaurants, and parks, many of which I actually went to and loved. (If you're lucky, maybe you'll even get to do a bike tour with them!) To live with such knowledgeable, cultured, community-oriented people -- it was a beautiful experience. My only regret was that I didn't do more with Deb and Francine during my time in Toronto.
The space itself of the Airbnb is great. The bed was extremely comfortable -- I slept better than I do at home! -- and cleanliness was never an issue given the consistent housekeeping and my own personal cleaning habits aligning well. The water pressure from the shower was also strong, which was something I was very thankful for. I genuinely don't have any complaints just because everything is available to you and generally provided for, whether in the kitchen, bathroom, or bedspace.
Another perk is the location. The place is located about an 8-minute walk from the train station, and even less to other buses, so it was extremely convenient for me, who's used to using public transport instead of driving/biking. And the area itself is marvelous, just about 10-20min away from popular streets where, at least during the summer, there are festivals and lots of events happening. The location being close to downtown Toronto is suburban enough so that there's no issues with noise pollution or heavy traffic/crowds, but also closer to a lot of spaces where there are events and fun, so the best of both worlds. I also never felt unsafe in this neighborhood; coming from New York, I'm used to constantly looking around me, but being in Toronto felt extremely safe and at ease.
I am forever grateful to have this experience with my "Airbnb moms". Toronto is made better with Deb and Francine there!