Make sure you know your rights as a tenant, because Archstone is counting on your ignorance so they can rob you blind. We thought the last management company was bad, employing people who were borderline illiterate and let the place fall apart, but now we are forced to deal with smug arrogance.

Since buying the property, Archstone has made recent "improvements" to the property, including cheap, poorly designed low-flow toilets that clog constantly, and new front door locks that apparently designed to be easy for thieves to break into. Of course, this is to save tenants money, because our beloved Archstone has decided that utilities will no longer be included in our largely over-inflated monthly rent. How nice. They're hoping that they will be able to change our leases without anyone noticing.

It would have been nice if they chose to spend all of that extra money from our pockets on repainting the buildings, or maybe even patching up the huge chunks of stucco that have been missing for years and make the complex look like a real eyesore. Or better yet, maybe some sound proofing for the paper-thin walls. We have the pleasure of listening to everything our neighbors (on four sides!) do in their apartments, from talking on the phone, watching television, taking a shower, urinating in the toilet, and having sex with their girlfriends. I'm sure they'd prefer not hearing us, either.

I'd even settle for new windows and doorjambs that actually seal, so that we can finally end the battle between us and the encroaching wildlife from the outdoors. At least the rats keep the snail population in check.

So far, Archstone has added a couple new machines to the exercise room. Unfortunately, the television is now gone, so you'll have to stare at the other residents ten feet away as you work out. Did I mention that the exercise room has no AC'
They've also appeared to have bought a few more of those obnoxious golf carts. Good thing, because the high turnover in this complex means that they're really gonna have to reel in some new suckers fast!

The property does have a great location, close to both the 101 and PCH. And, unlimited parking, which you won't find anywhere in the valley. I wouldn't be the least surprised if Archstone tries to find a way to make people pay extra for parking. Hey, if they could turn Meadow Creek into a toll road, I'm sure they would.

If you're a trust fund baby and don't mind a complete lack of privacy and living in a poorly constructed building made of the cheapest materials, by all means move here. But if you're a reasonably intelligent person who doesn't particularly enjoy having your pockets picked clean, do your homework and find a decent place to live elsewhere.

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