Everyone knows the old joke: Q: What are the three most important things about real estate in New York? A: Location, location, location!
This Park Slope apartment proves that’s true. It’s literally two minutes from the stop for the F train, a particularly convenient line. (When we visited, the F line was delayed at odd times for construction, but given that the entire New York subway system is collapsing, that’s one of those things you can count on getting in your way at least a few times. When the F is running, it’s great.)
It’s also near a terrific pastry shop (Colson’s) and is walkable distance from good restaurants, gelato, the park, and other attractions.
The apartment is clean and well furnished, and there’s a decent kitchen with a full-sized fridge and a stove where you could cook a meal if you wanted to. There’s a great patio outside, shaded by trees, which is very pleasant to sit in when the weather is nice. The bathroom is tiny, in keeping with the best Brooklyn traditions, but is actually quite cute. It is a semi underground unit, so there’s not a huge amount of light, but it’s not dingy either.

Our only quibbles were that the mattress probably needs to be changed and that most of the cushions were about the firmness of warm yogurt. The check-in could also be a bit clearer: There are two keys on the bunch that don’t do anything, which is confusing at first, and there were no clear directions about which door to use (there are literally four of them off the hallway; once you’ve done it one time, you know, but the first time is harrowing.)

On the other hand, our host was extremely quick to respond to any questions we sent her way, which was an enormous help. She also kindly let us stow our bags there on our last day when we had a late flight.

You will be aware of a bit of noise. First, there’s the sound of the subway. Personally, we found that kind of charming—it isn’t loud, more like a distant rumbling—but you’ll definitely notice it. Second, and less charming, is that you may get the sense, in the mornings and in the evenings, that someone overhead has taken up clogging.

Recommended as a base for singles or couples who like the atmosphere of Brooklyn but have stuff to do in Manhattan as well. Our tip: whatever you do, do not fly into Newark if you’re staying here. Travel between Brooklyn and Newark airport is, to say the least, not for the faint of heart.

Virus-free. www.avg.com