Ahmed was at the apartment when I arrived and was very welcoming. We had a chat and he showed me where everything was. There were maps and a metro card just as described (as everything else was too) and he also lent me an US phone. He was always available on email and sms and answered any queries super promptly.
The apartment is cozy and great for one or two people. The balcony is great for sitting outside in good weather and just chilling – the street is very quiet. The subway into Manhattan is about six minutes walking. The N Q R subway takes you right past Central Park through Midtown to Downtown and onto Brooklyn, so most places are reachable in a fairly short space of time.
There are plenty of restaurants and fast food places a few minute walk, along with a 24 hour supermarket, Duane Read and other stores.
I highly recommend staying at Ahmed’s place. If I say too many good things I may have to wait in line to stay there if I go back to New York! His place would definitely be the first I looked at again.