This is a basement apartment with access from the back/side yard of the house. Yes, you will hear occasional footsteps above you, but only for brief periods now and then. If that is going to bother you, then it's probably not for you. That being said, once inside it feels nothing like a basement apartment; it looks and feels like a spacious one-bedroom condo. The entrance to this unit perfectly captures Frank Lloyd Wright's concept of "compression and release." The owners also have an attic-level rental if that is more to your liking. Owners couldn't have been nicer, and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. They really went above and beyond. One thing that I always hope for in rentals is that they will at least have some basic necessary things, like salt & pepper, paper towels, dish soap, laundry detergent, a coffee maker with filters or a Keurig and at least enough coffee for the first morning, etc. If I have to go buy all of those items for a two or three day stay, I'm not happy. I'd rather just be in a hotel. This apartment had all of those things and more. All I needed to do was pick up some groceries. That's what I expect, and this apartment met or exceeded my expectations in every way.