LionsGate Walla Walla, WA--apartments, not student housing Recently purchased by Weider, which instituted some money- and control-oriented changes, imparting the sense the company does not care for tenant well-being so much as for its own investment and convenience. While not unusual in larger cities, this is uncommon in this outlying area. Apartments are large, clean, comfortable, and well-equipped (washer/dryer in all apartments, microwaves, and new basic appliances). They have decks or patios, with storage cupboards. Bedrooms are large. These are the most expensive rentals in the area, new and well-maintained property. Unlike less-expensive complexes throughout the area, there is no pool. It's biking distance from colleges. Individuals would have to balance the value of amenities with other factors. Reasons for paying high rent: spacious, clean, quiet, safe living space. Management usually tries to fix problems quickly, and handymen are skilled and fix things properly. Reasons for NOT paying high rent: the new corporate owner has shown it does not intend to consider tenants. For instance, the exercise room--a big part of many people's decision to rent--can now be closed or hours changed at will, with no notice. It has currently been locked for almost two weeks after a power surge--a technical glitch that cannot be fixed because some technician is busy until three weeks from the start of the problem. The manager did not post an explanation until 10 days from the start of the problem. Phone calls and in-person inquiries before that were not answered. Exercise-room equipment has been broken for months. Communication problems have interfered with a written promise, requiring legal action to enforce--not usually worth it. A new lease includes extreme and unreasonable restrictions, and adds a line to undermine any private reservation you might have to agreeing to usurpation of common liberties--"Undersigned agrees these are reasonable and necessary restrictions." They go far beyond reasonable and necessary, and most people would hesitate before signing. An apparent "whatever you can get away with" rule--enabling owners to consider tenants nothing more than a source of money, pressing them to see how much they will endure, or whether they will engage legal help--may undermine confidence and well-being. Depending on your viewpoint, the frustration and inherent trouble represented by these things could overrule the benefit of clean, quiet, new-construction buildings. I rented from spring '07 through summer '09. ...