My long stay at Nuria's apartment in Lavapiés was exactly what I needed to have a productive and amazing semester abroad. As an older student who has lived on her own for the better half of the decade, I could not fathom living with a group of 8 students in student housing. Nuria's one bedroom apartment provided the perfect space for me to continue living as I am accustomed, to get some studying done, and to sink into the culture and life of Madrid.
Nuria's place is exactly as seen in the pictures. Plenty of space for one person to sink into studying for several months and could be equally perfect for a couple/friends visiting Madrid who want a more local experience. What drew me to the apartment is the endless supply of natural light with the French doors and tiny balconies in each room of the apartment, even the kitchen. The kitchen is well appointed and helped me budget, as I spent many a night cooking for myself (and sometimes friends!). The bathroom is small, but has everything you need. what you might not be able to see in the pictures is that there's no tub, only a stand-up shower, in case that's a factor in your needs. My aunt came to stay with me for a few days and slept on the fold-out couch in the living room, and reported that it is comfortable (yes, I am terrible and let my older aunt sleep in the living room - I needed my solid sleep for school!).
I have noticed some people commenting on the "shadiness" of the neighborhood. Let me address this by saying, Lavapiés is, for lack of a better word, a multicultural neighborhood. The neighborhood is historically working class, but is rapidly being gentrified for better or for worse. There's a great little park next to the apartment building that provides the community with a space to hang out, listen to music, and let their kids play. Of course, like any neighborhood going through gentrification, there's a mixture of people coming from privilege and others who are struggling to make ends meet while continuing to live in the neighborhood. Of course, I got cat-called a few times and some stares, but I have street smarts and never encountered any sort of danger. So, with that in mind, if you are expecting an upper-class, perfectly clean, high-end bar and restaurant scene, Lavapiés will not be ideal for you; however, if you are looking for a vibrant, bustling, and local feel, Lavapiés is the perfect spot for you. There are great little restaurants, cafés, bars, and tiny grocery shops (along with bigger grocery stores nearby) to get everything you need. One of my favorite places became El 32, a new neighborhood bar right down the street. They made the neighborhood feel more like a home for me.
All this is to say, I highly recommend Nuria's place and I look forward to reliving my study abroad memories by staying there next time I visit Madrid (which I cannot wait to do!). It was a magical experience.