This place is a GEM! I stayed here for three months during my remote semester and I loved it. Would 100% recommend! Here are some pros and cons.
Just a few of the things I appreciated (there's so much more):
1. Place is cleaned often, so all the spaces (other than your room) are always spotless. I especially appreciate that type of cleanliness in bathroom spaces, so this stay was just brilliant.
2. Transportation is great. There are a bunch of buses that stop 3 minutes away and they come often.
3. Communication was spot on. Kim is a wonderful host. She replied fast and was always on top of problems.
4. Hospitality. First day I got there, there were snacks waiting for me and then the following day, because she knew I hadn't gone to get food, she made me dinner. She occasionally made me meals throughout my stay, would send up fruit and veggies for everyone in the house pretty often (apples, eggs, carrots, potatoes, onions, etc.). I loved that!! Wouldn't have gotten this anywhere else. Also, you'll get to meet Ray and Larry who do housekeeping and they're the sweetest people.
5. UM LAUNDRY??!! $10 a week/sometimes biweekly, and I got my laundry done, folded, and brought up to my room. Book this place just for that lol. And it's not like one day is reserved for laundry. You just leave your hamper right outside your room whenever and Ray or Larry will get it done that day.
6. You get what you see!! The pictures don't lie. It really is that pretty.
7. Can't speak for your roommates but mine were wonderful. Both nurses. Long term stay like me. I feel like I was actually probably the loudest lol. Everyone kept to themselves and when we talked, they were both kind.
Some cons:
1. This can't be helped but the neighborhood isn't the best. It's a bit let go, there's trash on the street, and there isn't really anything around. The prettiest thing on that street is Kim's place lol. Trips into NYC take about 1.5 hours commute (but there isn't much walking; a bus right outside the house takes you to Newark Penn Station and from there, you take the train to World Trade Center, and then from there a train to anywhere else—overall, it was ~a$15 roundtrip commute.) I was a little stunned at the state of Newark at first (also, people are a LOT more open about their catcalling) but honestly it's not a big deal. I had no issues with anyone there (and I walked a lot). Just plugged in my headphones and went about my day.
2. Dishes have to be done, can't be left out, you have to clean up after yourself in shared spaces, etc. Not really a con if you're pretty fast about those things but Kim gets irritated (and will let you know lol) if y'all are being messy and leaving things overnight. I didn't mind.
3. Bottom two drawers on the main cabinet were broken. Dropped it on my foot about 3 times during my stay and that shit HURT. I told Kim about it during my first day, someone came up that day to check it, but I was basically told that that's how the cabinet is. Which um...no? But I hate confrontation and I just didn't press. It wasn't too big of a deal to make a fuss of. So, it's partly my fault but yeah, hope that gets fixed.
Advice/Tips:
1. Check out Dario's Tex and Mex (20 Academy St, Newark, NJ 07102); a 7 minute drive, 20 minute bus ride. That place kept me fed for 5 weeks after I got tired of cooking lol. Their taco bowl and empanadas? To DIE for.
2. Only good grocery store around is ShopRite. Don't try the bodegas (I did and came home with a crusty tomato and a slice of chicken breast lol).
Overall, such a wonderful stay. Clean, stylish, great communication, would 110% come back!