Rhonda was a most helpful and welcoming host. She was easy to get hold of and promptly answered any questions.
The apartment was freshly painted, clean and tidy. There was plenty of space for our four suitcases, a wardrobe to hang clothes, tables and areas to charge our mod-cons, spread ourselves out and so on. The double bed has a firm mattress and soft, clean sheets. The windows look out onto the car porch and street but we were undisturbed. The bathroom was newly refurbished with shiny surfaces and a fantastic hot shower which we really appreciated. The dining area was where we caught up on work and watched TV. The kitchen looks out onto an old garden with tall trees. We helped ourselves to juice, muffins, toast and coffee in the mornings out of Rhonda's fridge. In the evenings, the apartment was very pleasant for chilling out without having to go out. There is a double pull-out sofa and a three-seater leather sofa as well. Our children enjoyed visiting us and there was plenty of room. It is cosy, gently-used apartment, with interesting things to look at and think about, including a collection of old and beautiful lamps.
The street is quiet. There are two laundromats on the same street, sundry stores, a Chinese takeaway and a beautiful Roman Catholic church nearby. We attended mass on a Sunday and admired how beautifully Brooklyners dress for church. We said hello to the priest and attended the crowning of the statue of the Virgin Mary in the garden. We felt like part of the community - the kind that says "Bless You" from across the isle when someone sneezes in the pew behind you. I was very happy to attend a mass where people shouted Amen! Gospel style.
The subway is a short and very pleasant walk away. We walked to and from the station along different streets just to see how everyone lived. There are a number of old, gorgeous buildings in this area. The subway for the A and C takes you to all the hip and happening places in Brooklyn, as well as to Manhattan City. We discovered several great restaurants, like the Black Swan, The Islands, Saraghina, Stonehome, Prospect, and many more in the Lafayette and Franklin areas.
We were in NY to attend our daughter's graduation from NYU which is held at Yankee Stadium so this Brooklyn apartment was ideal for the airport, the stadium, Manhattan, and our children's apartment two streets away.
Rhonda lives in the same building and checked in on us every day. We always had something to ask her. We felt very at home, as if we were staying with friends, and certainly by the second day we had become friends and spent a couple of evenings chatting. It was wonderful to get to know Rhonda and get a feel for the community instead of flitting in and out of places and feeling like you never actually arrived. We will be back.