Using the keys in the lockbox we entered a dark hallway that had peeling, chipped, and dirty paint, leading to an apartment that was dirty, dark, and smelled bad. I contacted Laurie and let her know. She sent a housekeeper so that was fine. But scented candles and air freshener were not adequate to banish the bad smell.

There was one dim bulb in the kitchen ceiling, and one dim bulb in the bathroom ceiling. Neither was sufficient to illuminate the space. I asked her to change the light bulbs and she suggested I do it myself. After agreeing to change them, and telling me that she had, I noticed no difference. I contacted her again, and this time she suggested I move out or move upstairs. I took the latter option (the upstairs apartment was still dark, but didn't smell).

I borrowed three lamps from the downstairs apartment when I moved, and bought one of my own. With the addition of four more lamps, we could see again. When I informed Laurie that I had borrowed the lamps, she told me she was “sorry I thought that was okay” and told me to move out. I thought this was an extreme response. I returned the lamps to her and bought three more of my own at a home goods store. I also bought a living room rug, bath mats for the kitchen and bathroom, and tablecloths for the living room and kitchen tables. These apartments are decorated in shades of gray, brown, beige, and tan. There is absolutely no color anywhere. Even the artwork consists of black and white photographs. (The large photograph in the living room of a woman exposing her breasts was appreciated by my teenage sons, I must admit.) After moving upstairs and spending $250 on lamps, tablecloths, and rugs the apartment was tolerable. And the upstairs one didn’t smell bad.

Another note, these apartments do not have central heat or air conditioning. There are two window units, which were adequate to cool the apartment, but you have to sleep with the bedroom doors open. There is a heating unit which we never used, but I expect one would need to sleep with the doors open in winter, also, since it’s located in the hallway.

My experience with Laurie as a host was very disappointing. She never introduced herself even though she lives in the building. Her attitude was “take it or leave it”. The location is not great, the apartment wasn’t clean or well lit, the décor is gloomy, and the first floor apartment has a bad odor. The host is neither gracious, hospitable, nor welcoming. I cannot recommend this apartment, and I would never return.