Safia’s place is a large one, located within easy commute to almost anywhere in NY and quite generous by NY standards for its size. It has very good internet connection and a large TV, probably the biggest I have used in any listing over the past nearly . The beds are generous and not one that many will find in most places in NY. Safia, the host was kind enough to change my reservation when I mistakenly indicated a date that was one day earlier than I was supposed to be in NY. She was also very quick with communication, even when my flight was changed three times while at the airport, she was able to respond to messages almost instantly. This was very helpful.
My flight was also delayed three times, but I kept updating Safia who responded almost instantly. When I landed very late, she made arrangements for someone else to hand over the keys to the house. I appreciated her patience and willingness to wait on me for that long, though I never got to meet her.
In very few listings will one find a full workstation with a computer and even a printer. These were available exactly as shown on the listing. Those travelling for work may find this a very useful rare addition. I did not use them so I would know how great they work. There is also a very big fridge.
The house itself is neat, but the stairway has a dumpiness on which one cannot walk barefoot. The neighborhood is not clean, with litter is everywhere. Every time I took trash to the bin, I saw huge rats scampering for safety from the bins. Even while leaving for or coming from work, I would occasionally see them by the door.
As one walks around groups of young men loitering around makes one develop serious concerns on safety.
The good communication I had gotten accustomed with before arriving dissipated once I was in the apartment. I am not sure if it was because I complained of essentials that were lacking such as a broom, chopping board, etc. I had to buy these for my comfort as Safia indicated she does not provide these. This is a bit strange given the oversupply of some stuff like knives – one does not really need up to 9!!
There are a couple of issues that came up during my stay which may be helpful to future clients if addressed. One is the obvious lack of basic amenities which I had to buy and even notified the host, and serious health hazard that made me leave the place earlier than I had booked because my safety was at risk. I did not sleep even a single day for the first weeks and had to resort to getting sleeping pills to help me sleep because of the unusually high levels of noise at night, which gets worse between Friday and Sunday. Most of the furnishing is cheap, and easily break. Indeed, several things in the house are very fragile, and one has to take a lot of care in handling. I opened a curtain for instance, and it came tumbling down onto the floor, despite no force being used. The walls are old boards that have been screwed and unscrewed many times before and hollow inside so there is no wood or fiber on which the screws can hold.
I also had a gadget forcefully connect to my phones very frequently and yet I could not trace them which forced me to buy an EMF monitor to ascertain the EMF levels and try to detect any concealed device such as a hidden camera. I recorded very high levels of emf in the bedroom, close to the closet but could not see anything. I do not know if this is hidden device and whether it is what led to the high levels of emf that I was able to record, without detecting the actual location. Efforts to try to unblock it were unsuccessful several times. It is nearly the end of second week when I was able. Because Safia had become so uncooperative and belligerent, I decided not to ask about this.
While I respect all faiths, I would not expect a place where people of all backgrounds and cultures stay to have extensive Islamic religious symbolism displayed everywhere in a place that receives guests of all cultures. One may wonder what the real intention is and may not be mistaken to conclude that these are open efforts in proselytizing or advertising Islam to everyone that stays in the place. The large print creates a discomfort that is impossible to wish away.
What was disappointing is that when I reached out to Safia on some of the issues like the noise and sewer seepage/leak, she blamed and accused me of wanting to demand a refund. This was far from the case. She was rude, discourteous and using very bad language and openly exhibiting a very unwelcoming temper. She lacked any sense of courtesy in her communications with me throughout the stay. This was indeed very sad.
Safia communicated very well with me before I landed, but once I was in the facility, all this changed and she became openly hostile.