It’s very much an unfinished basement in Staten Island. I didn’t feel safe in the area as a woman alone. At one point a white van followed me down the street.
The host has also discontinued between-guest cleaning services and I didn’t know this until I got there. I feel like this detail needs to be more clear.
There’s no natural light in the apartment, and the few windows are blocked by clutter.
The tub and toilet broke during my stay and the tub spit up some strange black gunk. Even the key didn’t work when I first arrived. Flies also managed to get in somehow even though I was careful about following the trash disposal instructions.
For positives, the host was communicative. It’s roomy. There’s a refrigerator and microwave. If you’re a healthy, tough-minded student on a tight budget who isn’t afraid of much and doesn’t mind laundering strangers’ sheets during a pandemic, it’s ok. Just ok. Even then, not great. Just ok.
For what I spent on new sheets and extra ubers and cleaning supplies and showers, I could have just got a hotel.
Please. Consider just getting a hotel. They’re more affordable now. The toilet will work. The shower will be clean. They’ll wash the linens.