Let me start by saying that Daniela is absolutely wonderful. Great person, incredibly accommodating and very responsive. In general, all you can ask for in a host.
The room was superb, very clean, spacious actually for New York, but I guess small according to American standards. Plenty of storage space, and the fact that there are two bathrooms in the apartment is a huge plus.
The location does seem a little bit dodgy at first, and I kind of freaked out when the man at customs was telling me that it is a questionable area. But I do have to say that as a young woman, and knowing that mostly young women stay here (including Daniela!) nothing has ever happened to us. Once you get used to it, it's completely fine.
In terms of transport, it is super close to the J train, which takes you into manhattan in 30 minutes. I was moving so once I found a job I did the morning and afternoon commute to the lower east side, and from door to door it takes me about 35 minutes. I've gone back and forth in and out of manhattan during the day but it's not terribly convenient, but not terribly inconvenient either.
I gave this 5 stars because of Daniela. A great host and a great person.