Lina's apartment is well-represented in the photos. I found the rooms were larger than I had expected. The apartment entrance is up a flight of circular stairs that are located in an open-air interior courtyard. I would caution anyone who has mobility issues. That said, it was very quiet. Neither street noise nor the occupants of two other units were ever a problem. The two rooms of this apartment are separated by a small kitchen and the bathroom, with access in both directions. The sofa bed was adequate for my cousin who stayed with me for two weeks, and the layout afforded each of us privacy. The kitchen is very small. While not equipped to do a lot of cooking, we prepared several simple meals.
Lina and her husband were very responsive to occasional questions I had over an extended stay. They were friendly, helpful, generous and very responsive.
The neighborhood is non-touristy, multi-ethnic and calm. The Place de la Réunion is a wonderful community resource, with twice weekly markets, cafés, and occasional community events. Evenings find many residents meeting there for their apéritifs. There is an Épicerie nearby that sells ready-made dinners. Also nearby are groceries, boulangeries, a pharmacy, anything you might need. Very near is a fabulous restaurant called La Vierge de la Réunion. Public transportation is easy. The metro stop Maraichers is about a 10 minute walk. I used a transportation app called Bonjour RATP (metro, buses, RER) and found it very helpful. I recommend Lina's apartment for anyone looking for budget lodging in a safe, non-touristy neighborhood with easy access to public transportation.