This is an edgy area of Paris but very well served by public transport, both bus (the 26 goes to both the Gare du nord and the Gare St Lazare)and metro Jourdain. The apartment is between a 5 and a 12 minute walk to bus or metro.
There are good supermarkets and excellent local cafes whose people flood onto the streets in animated form. Everyone uncharacteristically friendly especially the hosts who looked after us really well.