I stayed in Alice's apartment for about seven months, while I was on temporary assignment working in New York. I wanted a quiet respite from work, and it was perfect. Alice has done a great job with the apartment, making really good use of the space, and she's such a thoughtful host. The neighborhood is lively enough that you won't run out of restaurants to try, and you can run just about any errand on foot, but it's not the sort of place where all the sidewalks are crowded. The subway (the L) is reliable and only a couple blocks away. I have cat allergies, but I didn't have any symptoms while I was there, and it was nice running into the kitties occasionally on my way home - they're happy and healthy. If you're looking for green space close by, stroll down to Maria Hernandez Park.