We stayed at Laurie’s for almost two weeks. It had everything we needed for cooking, with grocery stores only minutes away. It was very clean, quiet, and cozy. Outside is a lovely garden and patio with chairs. It was cold during our stay, so we didn’t utilize it, but it would be a nice morning coffee spot. The neighborhood felt safe and access to the freeway was very easy. I’d definitely recommend Laurie’s place for someone who wants to be close to the city center (about 10 minutes) while enjoying the nature that surrounds Oakland.