I spent a week in Girum's apartment, and overall it's a fair value for the apartment. A few pros and cons listed below:
Pros:
-Despite being in between two state avenues it was pretty quiet. Was not bothered by street traffic or any noise from neighbors.
- Check in and check out was very easy and the keypad process worked well.
- If you don't want to deal with a host, then this is a good option. This was very hands-off where you check yourself in and out, and don't interact with the host (unless you need something).
- The apartment is a bit more spacious then I expected, and the view is pretty nice from the bedroom which overlooks a small park with flowering trees.
- ~10 minute walk to a metro stop on the green and yellow lines
Cons:
- Third floor of a walkup, which can be tough if you're carrying luggage.
- If you're planning on cooking your own meals, you'll have the pots/pans/plates/silverware, but nothing else. there's no salt, pepper, oil, etc.
- A lot of smaller things in the apartment could use some love. For example the shower curtain was falling apart ($10 to fix this...), the ironing board was damaged. and a leather chair was cracked at the seams. None of these are huge issues, but a lot of things in the apartment could use some basic repairs or touch-ups.
- I have a hard time recommending the specific neighborhood to stay in. Petworth has some distinct character, and a good introduction to a neighborhood that is pretty representative of DC neighborhoods outside of downtown and the more touristy places. But if you're unfamiliar with DC, I would recommend trying to find a place closer to downtown so you can walk right out your door and be close by the sights that led you to want to visit the city in the first place. For those of you that are street smart and used to city living, I don't think you'll consider Petworth to be particularly unsafe. If you're unfamiliar with city life you may have some culture shock as the neighborhood still is a little rough around the edges (that may be generous... shootings are still common and there were two within ~1 mile of our apartment while we were staying).