I have stayed all over New York over the last 25 years but never in the East Village. This was by far my favorite neighborhood I’ve ever stayed in, and Joe’s location is outstanding. Affordable restaurants, great super markets, and public transit are all around. Patisserie Florentine on 10th was my favorite place to get coffee and pastries in the morning, but there is also a great place on 11th (Veniero’s) for pastry. Westside Market on 3rd Ave is a nice market for fresh fruit and prepared foods. I loved Beyond Sushi on 14th Street for fast, fresh, affordable Vegan meals (and the people there were super friendly). The Strand Bookstore is a short walk away, and the L train is just two blocks away for a quick ride into Williamsburg/Brooklyn. UCB theater is a few blocks south for cheap, fun stand-up comedy, East Village Cinema is just a couple blocks away for indie/foreign films, and of course Union Square is just right down 14th. There’s also a Trader Joe’s on 14th but it is really crowded. Lots of fun stuff to do in the area.
I am a female and traveled alone, often returning to the apartment very late at night, and I felt completely safe. The apartment is as represented—not flashy or glamorous, just basic, convenient, and affordable. The trickiest part was the shower—it’s got a mind of it’s own but it’s not a deal breaker. The room next to mine had two guests, and Joe had his own room. There is only one bathroom but I never had to wait more than 10 minutes to use it. At one point there were four other people in the apartment when Joe had a friend staying with him. Everyone was very very quiet and respectful of others when taking time in the bathroom. However, if you are someone who does not like sharing a bathroom with so many people (and it is a small bathroom) and you do not like walking up five flights of stairs, you should probably find another place.
I could not have been happier with this location and will definitely return to the East Village.