I typically stay in places that have no shared spaces (especially now) but I made an exception to stay at Tina’s — and I did not regret it.
More spacious than the photos suggest! Plenty of space in the bedroom to spread out, good natural and artificial lighting, second story, with a small desk, and a large empty closet. All areas were extremely clean. Newly remodeled and up-to-date features in everything. Good wifi (had Zoom meeting, no problem). The rental includes a private bedroom with locking keypad door, and private full bathroom directly across the hallway with locking door. Nice water pressure and very hot. The shared areas include a large seemingly well-stocked kitchen + sitting area with abundant natural light, a wide staircase leading from the front door landing to the second floor (the space) — and upstairs the hallway with further doorways. I wore a mask and did not use common areas except to walk by, but they appeared sparkling clean and I never saw anybody in them. I believe there may have been two other guests staying while I was there, but I only caught a brief glimpse of one person inside the hallway, the day I was leaving. I also saw a woman outside on the driveway who may have been another guest in one of the other rentals. I assumed Tina & her family lived in the downstairs house, but we did not meet in person.
I was not worried about Covid at all during my stay, and I take a lot of precautions so this was an unusual choice for me.
I slept great and it was very quiet.
Take note that there are quiet hours, and I got a text reminder right after 10 pm, that seems like it gets sent to everyone.
Comfy mattress.
I had my dog with me which cost $20 extra.
Tina was a GREAT host — super responsive and also friendly & polite.
There were a washer & dryer in a hall closet that I asked for permission to use, which was another great feature.
A review said the neighborhood was “rough” but I walked my dog around and found it to be a working class Latino neighborhood with a mix of houses — some that were being newly remodeled or newly stuccoed on the outside, some with trash piled up or spilled outside, some older but with well-maintained yards & fences & some with seemingly long-term (elderly) residents, many multi-family & duplex units, very many with children and pets, one with guard dogs, and there were two ice cream trucks making the rounds the afternoon I pulled in and I could hear people watering and kids playing and see families just hanging out. Street parking seemed totally SAFE and I was not worried at all. So I disagree with what that other review said. It was an area of families. But Tina let me pull into the lot bc I got there later in the day & couldn’t find a close spot. The driveway has a gate that goes all the way across the front of the house and locks for security, also.
Anyway, had a great experience and would rent there again or anywhere that Tina was managing!