Simone's apartment is very comfortable and quite spacious. . . and the proximity to Journal Square Path makes getting into Manhattan pretty easy (about 30 mins to 33rd Street, a bit longer at the weekends}. Although the living room and its balcony effectively look onto Newark Avenue, which is a busy road, the grassy bank and school opposite make a pleasant outlook and the back of the house is very quiet, looking across a rocky, tree-filled ravine to a row of houses higher up. This makes the bedroom peaceful, which is a blessing for light sleepers.
General food shopping is probably best up at Journal Square, although downtown has some very good specialist, organic shops. Kitchen equipment for self-caterers could a be little more plentiful. But I felt very much at home and liked the decor and feel of the apartment. It was a relaxing place to come back to after a hectic day in Manhattan and a good place for work brought with me and as a place simply to rest in and chill out.
Simone, although not nearby, was efficient and helpful as host and getting access via keys secreted in a lockbox was easy. Thoroughly recommended.