Staying at Samir's place was, in a word, Awesome. I've been to NY a lot, but never stayed in the East Village, and I may never stay anywhere else. Everything you need is steps away, and everything else is an (albeit expensive these days) Uber ride away. You truly live like a local when you stay here- and you may never want to leave. Added bonuses for music lovers- piano, guitars, and you can see the building from Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti right around the corner on St. Mark's! Thanks Samir!