My stay in Alex's was absolutely delightful, if you want to visit New York and don't want to spent the average 200 dollars a night, his apartment is a good option as a place to stay. It is indeed a bit far from Manhattan but this aspect is balanced by good connections with subway. My advice is to use b line as an express to Manhattan and to city bicycles once you are there.
The apartment itself is new, comfortable and very well equipped. There are also good restaurants around where you can have very good food for far less than in Manhattan itself. Try 1001 nights : delicious food and nice belly dance show!