I stayed with Amy's place for four weeks and enjoyed my stay there. There is a farmer's market and good bus/ BART connection (45-60min to SF and Berkeley) close by. The place was really clean and was equipped with essential items for cooking etc. The sounds coming from above didn't bother me at all, however, if you're a light sleeper or sensitive to noise, be aware that you will hear people walking around.
I really enjoyed the Oakland Downtown area - it is a really nice city with a lot of good cafes, nice venues and restaurants.