Francisco's place is a great option for families / large groups who don't want to spend a fortune while visiting the city. While it's a good 10 minutes to the subway, the line that they live near (the 7) has trains every few minutes (not a given with other lines), so it's actually a much easier commute to Manhattan than I had expected. Additionally, the neighborhood itself is vibrant and full of surprises - sure, it's not as aesthetically pleasing as some other places in NY, but the area is lively and exceptionally diverse. Finally, Francisco and his wife are pleasant and helpful.