Mary’s got a nice place in a quiet, middle-class neighborhood. It’s easy to get an Uber or Taxi from the airport, but count on spending 15-25 dollars for a 10 minute ride. I would recommend taking the blue line train (it’s an aboveground subway, really, not a train) straight from O’Hare for $3.50 which is what I would have done if I hadn’t arrived so late because it is about a 10 minute walk from the stop to the house.
Other than that, the house itself is really nice. There’s a digital keypad that auto-locks after twenty seconds, so you don’t need a key. Very, very clean with a nice living room to lounge and chat in, and a fully equipped kitchen. The bathroom was spotless, the shower had good water pressure, and the hot water didn’t run out even though I got in immediately after someone else. I got a peek at one of the private bedrooms downstairs and it was really nice with a huge bed, so look into that if you’re going to stay for more than a night. Since Mary was out of town, I had the luxury of meeting LeReese (or is it just Reese :/, sorry!), her house manager. He’s a great conversationalist (smart, articulate and funny) not to mention that he makes a mean cup of joe with the French press. He gave me perfect directions for where I needed to go and even offered to walk with me to the train stop when I checked out. He made the stay 5-star.
I slept in the “crash pad” upstairs, in a shared room with two beds. I got in late after an international flight into O’Hare: when I arrived there was already a guy asleep, so it was a bit awkward to have to read the instructions, sheet the bed and pillow cases, and then settle in, but he knew what he was signing up for. There are ample pillows and blankets, and the bed is comfortable enough for weary travelers looking to rest their heads. I think the only thing I would change about the place is to have Mary or Reese sheet the beds in advance to avoid any ruckus if someone is already sleeping.
Overall a pleasant place, close to the airport and the train that goes downtown, and very affordable. Recommended.