I had a fine time staying at Anisia's place. It's a solid, no-frills Bushwick apartment, which makes for efficiency and that's what I was looking for. However there were a few minor oversights including the price. **note: Anisia addressed all of these and seems to have her reasons, so some of this may be my bias from having hosted in the area. Also, it seems I overlooked the coffee filters; perhaps the solution there is clearer signage or instructions. It’s not a far fetched mistake for me to make!
Pluses: -LOCATION is quite central and I could walk damn near anywhere in Bushwick; plus the train is right nearby, and a second line is only one stop away. 25/30m train ride to union square.
-check-in was super easy because of a lockbox and prompt communication from the host.
-The apartment was clean and orderly, easy to be in the space.
-The backyard was wonderful to relax in before or after going out.
Minuses:
-Host didn't provide a top sheet on the bed, only a fitted sheet and comforter, which makes it a little less clean in a very personal way. **She did have a duvet cover and intended it for that purpose, though I think of a sheet as more standard. Could be my bias.
-The cat is nice to have around yet is very willful and stubborn. When I let her outside as advised by the host, she never came back in when I was ready--in the host's words "she wants everything to look like it was her idea." That should have been mentioned up front, so I could avoid or plan on the situation of spending 15 extra minutes trying to coax her inside. In Anisia's defense, when I texted her about this she said "You're not here to take care of her" which is understanding and communicates flexibility. It would have helped to hear that at the same time she had already said "make sure not to leave her outside." Yet there I was in that situation because she hadn't warned me how difficult that is. The more I coaxed the more Inti resisted.
-a coffee maker is advertised but I couldn’t find filters. I found a french press which didn't require a filter, but this is an oversight and a lucky (unadvertised) solution.
-free parking on street is advertised, but this part of Bushwick is actually quite cutthroat for parking competition. I used to host in another part of bushwick which is easier for parking, and yet I still warned people with cars that it's not always reliably easy to find parking because of nightlife and other things. I was half expecting this because I know the area, but for a newcomer it would be horrible--i spent over 20m looking for parking, on three separate occasions, and all three times had to settle for a space where I'd have to move it before 8am (one was on a hydrant which is a risk). After 12 years in NYC I understand the risks; others might not.
Overall this place gets the job done, though for the price the host could be a bit more attentive to the experience of the guest. Airbnb prices seem to have gone up in the area since I hosted there, although many rents have gone down. I would stay here again if the price was $65/night instead of $80 and coffee filters and a top sheet were provided.
All that being said, this is her own bedroom so it’s most certainly her prerogative how to arrange it. The bottom line is it’s basic and efficient. If you’re attentive to details and adaptable you should have no problem. She is also very responsive so that helps a lot.