This is a wonderful spirit to stay, whether you are new to Nola (me!) or not. It is just off of Canal St., which takes you via streetcar to the river, the Riverwalk, hotels, and (via another streetcar) to the French Quarter. Yes, you are close to pretty much everything. If you drive, the neighborhood is quiet, and I felt comfortable parking on the street.
For location reasons alone, this place is a great choice. But I hope you love it, too, for all of the TLC that the hosts put into it. It is immaculate, well-maintained, and also wonderfully funky. You get that vibe already when you're walking through the side courtyard to the apt. entrance. (Banana trees. . . magic tassel. . . ) The hosts designed the decor themselves: part modern, part vintage. Ask them about music or anything and they'll answer you. And your New Orleans education will begin just by staying at their place.