The apartment has been recently renovated and everything is new. R, J is a very responsive host and quick to help out in any way. Close to subway, about 3 blocks, but time to get into Manhattan a bit long, about 45 - 60 minutes to midtown as a bus as well as the subway is needed (buses are close also). The neighborhood, however, is not what I expected as that it is mostly a black population. It did not, however, make me feel unsafe at all. Overall, apartment a good value for New York City and a couple or small family.