Gabriel and Tina were perfect hosts who from first contact on answered all our questions promptly and thoroughly. We had asked for public transit directions from Midway to the home and Gabriel sent the info immediately.
The neighbourhood is charming, quiet and very safe. We returned from downtown at 11 PM and walked home from the 18th Street subway station without any issues; equally so from the Damen station, both on the Pink Line.
There is a Puerto Rican restaurant just east of (past) 18th Str. station that serves delicious food at a very reasonable price as well as an All Day Breakfast and Brunch place on Damen just south of 18th Place where an elderly lady cooks and insists you read the Chicago Tribune over breakfast. Super charming.
We suggest you take public transit to get around town. The Ventra multiple day pass can be bought at all subway stations incl. Midway, O'Hara and at the central train station and is valid on all buses as well. We bought the 72 hour pass for $20. It's super easy to get to the Loop/downtown on the Pink Line (about a 15 min. ride every 8-12 min. approx.) but also to other neighbourhoods of Chicago.
If you are wondering whether to take a river boat tour we highly recommend doing so. We went on the 7:30 PM Architectural Tour and learned a great deal about Chicago's architectural history while sipping wine and watching the city light up as night fell. The tour provided a great intro to Chicago as a whole and was utterly romantic ;) plus you can be back at Casa 18th Place in 30 minutes on the Pink Line, boat to door.
We highly recommend staying at Casa 18th Place; it's good value and Gabriel and Tina are responsible and caring hosts.