I was working at Columbia University for two months so this was the perfect arrangement for my odd dates (59 weeks). I enjoyed the proximity to Central Park and the B,C subway lines as they are a mere block away.
As a solo female in my late 20's living here, I felt a uneasy at first since people tend to hang out on the steps and I didn't want to be bothered after a long day at work, but after a couple days this was totally a non-issue. These people just live nearby, and are super courteous about moving out of the way. A couple of times, they even helped me with my bags, etc. So unexpected and so nice!
It's a little noisy since some cars or motorcycles will blast their way down Manhattan Ave, so bring ear plugs. As far as living in the room goes, the kitchen situation is fantastic for one person: two burners and a bigger mini fridge comfortably handle lunch meal preps for the week and dinner leftovers. The A/C is very effective, and the water pressure is great. Hot water for the shower comes eventually. The long desk worked well for when I did work from home. The fact that the room gets cleaned once a week is a huge bonus.
No regrets or qualms about living here. Give it a few days and let the neighborhood charm you. I'm going to miss the location, and its accessibility to the beautiful Central Park, a lot!!