As others have mentioned, be prepared for being on a hill. Transportation is convenient and cheap as 1 euro ticket ( t-10) will get you onto the metro and/or bus combo to your destination. I preferred this area as able to walked to some sites (get to Park Guell before 745 am and entrance is free), quieter and cost of food is cheaper here than touristy spots ie Gothic Quarter. Accommodation was clean and being able to wash clothes was a bonus. My deciding factor was location which was better than expected as I discovered the transit had to be used to get to other sites no matter where you stayed and came back to a quieter area with great restaurants.