I stayed at Rachel's house for a month and we became good friends! Rachel not only provided detailed information about the shops and restaurants nearby, but also showed me the neighborhood and invited me to concerts and barbecues, through which I made friends and had interesting cultural experience of NYC. It was nice talking with Rachel as well. She was a good listener and, traveling to so many places, a knowledgeable person. Her cats, Montey and Mario, were so cute! Because of Rachel and them, I felt I was not visiting, but living in, NYC.
The location of Rachel's house is also great. 2- or 3-minute walk to the 145 st. Station. A B C or D train could take me anywhere I wanted to go. The neighborhood was clean, calm, and beautiful. I went back late at night several times; it was very safe. After a day's work in the library, I usually took a walk in the park nearby or on the beautiful campus of City College of New York. Very relaxing!
I highly recommend Rachel's place!