James' place was convenient; lot of restaurants, cafes, lavanderias around and near public transport. (Some metros stations are closed due to recent protests, but you can still walk to the next metro stops, to Catholic University and Chile University. I have also used the bus although they are sometimes trickier to know how to catch because all the bus stop signs have been pulled down)
James was super responsive and accommodated my late check-in. I believe he either lives in the building or nearby so he can help with anything right away (He immediately restocked the TP when I ran out)
The things I care about are good internet, natural light, hot water and a sufficient kitchen and James' place has all of it.
it was quite useful to have 24 hour security guys downstairs with the protests going on. Everything is quite normal during the day (few broken traffic lights and graffiti) and they might burn garbage on the streets at night but it's just more inconvenient than dangerous. (It's a bit shocking when you first see it but now it's pretty normalized in the city. Masks are helpful.) A couple of times they pulled down the gates for the apartment building out of precaution but the security guys downstairs are nice and helpful.
If you are on the fence about traveling to Chile, I would say it's ok to go and stay around Bella de artes neighborhood. You can entirely avoid the hot spot areas if you wish and just stay in at night if you are really concerned.