This was about as close to perfect as I think you can reasonably expect. Clinton Hill is a venerable old residential neighborhood, quiet, leafy, and diverse, and a welcome relief from Manhattan's frenzy. And it's a quick subway ride to the frenzy, in any event. If you want to see how people actually live in New York--rather than just look at other visitors from Indiana or North Carolina--head to Brooklyn. It will give you a very different perspective on the city.

The accommodations themselves can't be beat for the price. A spacious bedroom with a very comfortable bed, wi-fi, and (by New York standards) a huge bathroom, all to yourself. The room has an AC unit, but I found the ceiling fan provided all the climate control I needed. There's also a small deck, but I never had a chance to use it. And there's a television, which I also ignored. The only possible quibble people might have is that the room is a bit dark, but there's ample lighting throughout, and as a native New Yorker I can tell you that apartments awash in natural light in that city are almost unheard of.

Finally, there's your host, Xavier. Relaxed and personable, he takes a sincere interest in his guests and seemed always to be available without ever being intrusive. I very much enjoyed our chats over a cup of strong coffee in the morning. Added bonus: if you're there during Wimbledon fortnight, you can watch a couple of sets with him and listen to his commentary!

In all honesty, I had a wonderful time and hope to stay with him again on my regular visits to the city.