The neighborhood isn't pretty and lacks amenities, but it's not too far from public transportation. However, for the nightly rate, its value is hard to beat.
I was positively surprised to find a fully functional kitchen, fridge & washing machine available for the guests. The bathroom is large, new, and clean. My room was spacious and bright. My only quip is that the linens didn't seem to have been washed (there were crumbs and stray hairs and the pillows smelled like someone else's products). The walls are thin and there are a few other rooms on the same floor with guests that might be noisy so bring ear plugs.
I never met James, but he always responded quickly to my messages.