I really loved my stay at Faith's. Not only is she a kind and attentive host, she also is an excellent "curator" of people for a lack of a better word and hence I made good friends with many housemates during my seven month stay. The rooms are cosy and big windows on at least two walls for most rooms make them full of light. Faith also bought some high quality washing machines and tumble dryers that will make any trips to the local launderette unnecessary. The house itself is charming, having been built in the old San Franciscan wooden style popularised after the Great Earthquake of 1906. There is a nice pizzeria about 200 yards away from the house if you ever feel like having a guilty bite out (Nick's pizza) and I also enjoyed the great matcha green tea at Nomad's café just down the road (Hipsters, rejoice!). All in all the neighbourhood is artistic and pleasant to live in with much wall art and greenery. Oakland and the adjacent Berkeley (which is much closer to the house than Downtown Oakland is) has a rich history in terms of Hip Hop and other forms of music and art but also peaceful political resistance that is still clearly noticeable in a positive way. The neighbourhood is also openly welcoming to LGBTQ+ members so I could certainly recommend it to members of those communities. Oakland's nadir in the late 80's and early 90's is clearly behind it and I never felt unsafe during my stay. There is some homelessness, especially close to the nearest BART station but the severity of the issue is much less than you would find in San Francisco. In part because of the relative compassion the local community shows to the homeless (e.g. shelters, distribution of tents and food). The city and neighbourhood's best days appear to still be ahead of it. I would certainly recommend staying here to any of my friends and family.