I stayed at Shawn' place for 3 weeks and totally recommend it. Shawn and her wife are very friendly and very helpful. They are there if you need them but they give space, I often felt like I am alone in the house :). The place is very close to subway and I felt safe walking there, but I didn't walk late at night, probably this won't be a good idea. I stayed at the top room on the 3rd flour, so you need to be ready go up and down the stairs a lot, but Shawn gives that information before you book it. The only thing I would recommend, that if you plan to stay when it is really hot in NYC, book downstairs room because it gets very hot in the top room. Wish all the best to Shawn and her family.