The neighbourhood is really buzzing and alive with gentrification and bourgeois encroachment. I don't know about the local politics of it all, but it does make for a lot of options for quality eating and drinking. The flat is as described (though north Americans should read '5th floor' for '4th floor') and on the whole very comfortable and well appointed, clean and full of character. To be very candid, if you have any weight or mobility issues, this apartment's top-floor location and its incredibly tiny bathroom (I'm 5'11" and 150lbs and couldn't turn around in the shower without touching the wall on both sides) would be a major problem. The stairs are steep, so luggage hauling is, shall we say, a work-out. But if you're fit and don't mind the exercise, there's a lot to recommend the place. Weekend nights seem to be noisy in the neighbourhood and you will hear it, but I suspect this is true of anywhere you might stay in this locale.