our staying to Judith's accommodation has been simply marvelous.
the flat is bright & very clean and tidy , in a safe area, with one supermarket just in front of the main door of the building, a coffee shop just around the corner and open till late evening, and a few bakeries in every direction in a radius at least of 500mt, where you can seat for just a coffee or have breakfast. train station and tube station are just 10/15 minutes (by walk) far.
you don't need to get the old Town or Rambla to enjoy a lively place full of tapas bar or restaurants, in fact just 15' by walk you can find a nice colorful collection of places where to spend a lovely dinner with good food.
Judith has been nice and kind, and really helpful with her suggestions and advice. I completely raccomend her, she is lovely host