Brilliant! Joe is an insightful host, filled with advice and life experience. THIS WHOLE THING WAS DELIGHTFUL.

Ahem. The pull-out couch was wildly comfortable. For some reason, even though we got 3 hours of sleep our first night there, it felt like a 12-hour marathon of REM sleep and we were totally refreshed by morning.

We didn't need much. Just a shower and a place to rest. If you get up at around 9am, there's no problem getting the bathroom first (these folks seem to be late sleepers or really really early risers; don't know which :)). We had a late check-in and Joe was accommodating over the phone, letting us know how to get there and where everything was. He was unimposing yet friendly. I'd go so far as to disagree with the "introverts beware" comments, because nothing was so overbearing as to require social energy. Joe will chat with you and tell you things, but knows exactly when to duck out to let folks get some sleep. Easygoing environment. The others were polite and no one encroached upon your personal space. We met a couple who showed us their colorful Canadian money and by some unique twist of fate we got along really well with them.

His cats are adorable but they're pretty present, so if you're allergic, be mindful!

The diverse neighborhood was peaceful and a seamless snapshot of Chicago. There was easy access to parking and other amenities (McDonald's, liquor, and delicious tacos are a mere gallivant away). Howard Red Line stop is about a mile walk away, or you can take the 97 bus there (about a 7 minute bus ride).

tl;dr Good value, comfortable sleep, easygoing people. Can't get much better than this!