Overall this was a wonderful first Airbnb experience.
We were there for almost 9 days so I feel we had a pretty good sample. The neighborhood is very quaint and pretty, and really walkable to parks, shops and restaurants. We really liked 'west on centre' (for a family spot and great atmosphere, service and food) and eat with jack O'Neil for a date/casual spot. We walked for groceries and brought them back in our stroller. If you have young kids, under 3, you will definitely need a baby gate as there is steep steps up to the apartment. It is an older, charming space with a nicely remodeled bathroom (great shower pressure too) and nice spacious kitchen. The master bedroom was nice to have a "nursery sun room nook". I thought tissue boxes would be nice on the night stands and cleaning wipes in the bathroom would have been nice touches. As well as a blender and spatula in the kitchen ! Didn't mess with the experience but was noticed.
I think the rugs could use updating but our close friends who stayed with us liked them! My little kids just sat on the floor and played so I noticed that---Also it would've been nice if the couches were all leather as I didn't love not being able to "wipe them clean" for our young children who would come in and lay on them after a busy day. But if you don't have kids you wouldn't notice these things .
It was great to have laundry, but it is a bit of a creaky steep walk down! And speaking of creaking the beds were soooo creaky so if you have light sleepers, be aware. But the beds were still comfortable and we had plenty of towels.
We had never been to Boston and overall we met so many nice people! Although I wouldn't recommend parking in front of 29 alameda as they're not kind about it, although you're allowed. They were the only people that weren't as super friendly as the rest. The downstairs neighbor wasn't chatty but he didn't seem bothered and didn't bother us so it was fine. People we had convos with in the neighborhood were really great though.
Salem & Plymouth were amazing day trips!!!! I loved Salem so much. And I actually really enjoyed west Roxbury neighborhood too.
Lance was very communicative, helpful and kind. He also knows the area and neighborhood well. So overall I give everything 5/5 stars!