Tracy was a great host during my week-long stay in New York. The living space was clean and inviting, and she provided some snacks and water bottles that were much appreciated during my first days in the city.
The subway station is a short walk from Tracy's home. The neighborhood looks a little sketchy at night, but I think it's a safe area to walk through and explore at any time of day. There's a school with a basketball court right across the street, lots of families in the area, and all the people we spoke with in the restaurants nearby were friendly.
While the main street can get noisy during the day and night (that's New York for you), Tracy's home is far enough away from most traffic so the noise won't keep you awake.
If you want an authentic New York experience at a great price, I'd recommend staying at Tracy's.