Cristina was kind and very responsive in advance and in person. The neighborhood is lovely, and packed with cool cafes and hip eateries, and it really comes alive in the evening. It's on E 6th between 1st and 2nd Aves, so the street is a somewhat quiet corridor between two really happening avenues.

The vibe of the neighborhood is young and hip. We came expecting a bit of urban grit, but the sketchiest guy we saw was David Schwimmer, who lives a few buildings down the street. I kid the Schwim, but he does live there.

The flat is roomy by NYC walkup standards, I would estimate 400sf. Cristina has appointed the place with lots of charm. There's a record player and stacks of vinyl, DVD/CD player, and ~40-inch flat panel with cable. The shower is great, there are even jets in the tub, but we didn't have time to try them out. No natural light in the bathroom, but very bright lights in there.

There is also little natural light in the bedroom, which is good for folks who want to sleep in. The bed is very soft, a 4-inch foam pad on top of what seems to be a standard mattress. It's raised up like a normal bed, but the room is small so one side is up against the brick wall. We found the bed a little on the soft side, but tastes vary. There is some good counter space on top of dressers in the bedroom, and some empty drawers. Cristina keeps about a quarter of the standing closet in the living room empty with a dozen or so hangers, which proved adequate for our needs.

The kitchen is comfortable and fully functional, but predictably short on counter space. There is a Nespresso machine, so make sure you get some pods in advance.

Markets and delis are plentiful in the area. There's a Trader Joe's a few blocks away, which is walkable. About a ten-minute walk to subways in various directions.

One last thing: the place is on the 4th floor, which is in the description. Such a high flat comes with advantages and disadvantages. One advantage is that you get less street noise, another is better light, and probably more security. The disadvantage is a fairly healthy schlep up and down, especially when you're carrying your luggage!

We have very fond memories of NYC and the East Village, and Cristina's lovely flat was a wonderful hub, staging ground, and oaisis from the hurly-burly.