There's a lot of graffiti in the neighborhood which I didn't expect. However, it's not just that area, you'll see that everywhere in Rome so don't let that deter you. I felt safe walking around even at night.
Marco has a clean apartment that's close to the metro. A/C was a plus. There are restaurants and grocery stores nearby so should be able to get everything you need. I can recommend staying at his apartment and I would definitely consider staying there again the next time I visit Rome.