we had mixed feelings about Maria's place. We loved waking in the early morning to the songbirds and seagulls, enjoyed the friendly neighbors who greeted us in the street. We didn't like the neighbor's barking dogs which thankfully didn't bark at night. If you have repiratory problems, be forewarned. The apartment is heated with a pellett stove that emits a strong smell. The kitchen is equipped for a short stay, not really that usable for meals cooked in. There is a fine neighborhood restaurant, Madureira about 8 minutes away and you can bring in food from its takeout shop. It's a bit of a walk to the train station that takes getting used to. Weather in Porto can be rainy, but Maria provides umbrellas.
Maria lives in Spain, but Joana and Paula who look after her property were extremely accommodating and delighted to help us with any problems. They supplied us with an iron and ironing board so I could dry clothes. Although there is a washing machine, there is no place to hang out laundry, and it took days to dry.