AVOID AND BEWARE. Not recommend. the host
The apartment is good. However it is up 4 massive flights of stairs situated on the top floor of an old block. The noise, even by nyc standards is unreal. Thin walls, where you can hear everything from the neighbours and outside in the street. Fire trucks and people make endless noise all night. Fire station is around the corner. Apartment was old and faulty light switches were throughout/ lights not even working. The heating system is centralised and thus you cannot control the timing, heat or noise it makes at switchin him at 3-4 am. Sounds like it's going to explode!
The area is lively with restaurants and bars and close to subways. A positive.
The owner is not to be trusted. We had an agreement re my partner staying and then he double backed on the agreement, after I had left the apartment and tried to claim money via Airbnb. Complete scam. He also tried to make me make private payments to his account which is not Airbnb policy. He also sent strange random texts whilst in the flat asking me to not touch his clothes or umbrell!! Very awkward. The host did not meet me on arrival and I had to pick the keys up from a stranger down the street at night.
I was constantly asked by the neighbours who I was and where I stayed, which implies that the flat may not be allowed to be rented ( not certain). But it is still annoying being questioned. Furthermore, upon the day of leaving the host changed the check out time only by 30 mins, but still!
Overall, a disappointing stay. the flat is in a good area, close to subway and bars and restaurants but I would not recommend anyone to stay because of the deceitful, rude and untrustworthy host;together with an old flat.