We stayed with Lianna Mae for a long stay that included Mardi Gras.
Lianna Mae's place was wonderful, roomy, and very well appointed, with lots of personal touches. It's a 10-15min walk up Canal to the French Quarter, or take the cable car wherever you wish along multiple lines -- the stop is only a block away. She's a wonderful and accommodating host who was on site (not that we needed anything, but it was enjoyable just talking with her when we met up on the way to or from our adventures).
The neighborhood is renewing itself, so there is a mix of new homes (Lianna Mae's is one of the newer ones), older homes, and some vacant or abandoned properties, but we felt perfectly safe coming and going at all different hours.
We highly recommend !