I have my own scale for rating where I stay. I use the letters LBWW. L for Location which must be close to good transportation. Ricardo’s place is less than a city block from the metro, 10 minutes from the Piazza del Duomo. B for bed and Ricardo’s place had a bed that was above average. W for hot water which Ricardo’s place had plenty of hot water for a relaxing and comfortable shower. The second W is for WiFi which was also great. What sets Ricardo’s place above all the places on this last 40 day trip through Europe was the size of the condo, amenities, location, neighborhood ambience, local inexpensive coffee shops and the ability to truly cook a meal. What you get is a small apartment with all the amenities you expect to have in your own apartment. Having a well stocked small supermarket yards away was an extra bonus. Ricardo also welcomed my wife and me with a nice bottle of wine. The neighborhood is predominantly an Italian speaking immigrant community. My Italian is not fluent but I can do better than get by. I grew up in an Italian family. I enjoyed striking up conversations with the cheerful Eurasian children in the neighborhood as well as the Italian politically charged neighbors. If you know Milan well you know that talking politics is a passionate pass time. It’s a pastime I was not going to pass on in this vibrant neighborhood. I simply loved this neighborhood. Around the corner you completely escape the Italian speaking immigrant population but I had a much more enjoyable time talking with the neighbors immediately around the building. On my next trip to Milan I will stay at Ricardo’s place.