I'll start by saying that I arrived in NYC just days after Sandy & Christiana admitted she had been set back a little bit by the storm. So I don't know if conditions in the apartment are normally different. Christiana is a super responsive host-- she answered every question I had within minutes-- via text or email. She even called before I arrived when I expressed worry over Sandy and whether things were back to normal in NYC. She is very kind, polite and accommodating.
So first thing: Location is indeed perfect as advertised. Just steps to Marcy JMZ station and minutes to Manhattan! I was worried about this seeing as though I was coming to town for a gig on 42nd street. I never had a problem with transit and the area around the apartment is super safe. We were 2 girls. Felt safe at all times.
Check in and check out: super easy
In terms of cleanliness, this is where my experience shifts. I have such a hard time saying it because Christiana was so nice! Maybe for a short term stay, it wouldn't matter-- but we stayed 2 weeks and the conditions were difficult. I don't know if "cleanliness" is culturally subjective because so many of the reviewers made a point to say how clean the place is. I don't know what clean means to you people! I'm happy the last reviewer finally said "could be better cleaned". I found the place to be dusty and cluttered, with random things like a crushed carton of cigarettes falling out of the couch (maybe a past tenant?). I felt so uncomfortable I finally swept and mopped the floor-- and the resulting rag come out black as night, much dirt was swept, etc.
Then there's the bugs. Yes, as another reviewer wrote: bugs in the tub every morning. I was hearing constant scuttering and scurrying around the apartment and thought I was crazy at first. If I got up in the middle of the night for a glass of water, I'd see something scamper away when I reached for a glass. Then, I finally saw them: roaches and other critters. Yes, Christiana had left bug spray and when I panic-texted her she told me this is normal in NY. I feel like that might be an exaggeration. Normal? Really? Everyone in NY has roaches running around their kitchen counter? I'll admit, I put fruit on the counter in my first few days (completely un-problematic in Montreal where I live). I remedied that very quickly when I noticed the "problem", but it didn't help much. Also, there was the pitter patter of little roach feet in the bedroom where no food had ever been brought.
All in all, I don't mean to disparage such a quaint little apartment at such a reasonable price by NY standards. This place would be 100% perfect with a good cleaning and if the landlord fixed all the cracks, crevices and replaced old rusty things.