There comes a time in most people's lives when storage becomes a problem. People most often find themselves in need of storage during a move. Sometimes they need to move furniture out of one house before the place they are moving to is ready. Sometimes they want to start buying furniture for the new place but need somewhere to store it before the move. Cases like these are when self-storage units, full-service storage units, and PODS are useful. Other times people may want to do some sightseeing in a town where they are not spending the night, but they don't want to drag their bags all over the place with them which is when lockers come in handy. In any case, there are often storage options available if you just know where to look.
1 – Self-Storage Units
Self-storage units are the most popular form of rentable storage that people use. They come in a variety of sizes with the standard range being from 5' x 5' to 10' x 20'. Some storage facilities will offer even larger units, depending on the company. Some of the most popular self-storage companies are U-Haul and Public Storage. These two companies generally have storage units all over the country, though most towns and cities have a plethora of smaller storage company options to choose from. Self-storage means that it is up to you to transport your belongings, pack everything in, and often provide the lock to keep the door secured. This requires more work on your part but is often one of the cheapest rentable storage options.
2 – Full-Service Storage
Full-service storage units are a great option for those who can't easily transport their belongings themselves, want extra security, or need help with the loading and unloading of their belongings. Most full-service storage companies will send people to your location to pack up your things and will unload them for you in your chosen unit. This can save you some hassle if you would otherwise have to rent a truck or hire movers, or if you don't have a car or would need to make multiple trips to a unit to move all of your belongings. Most of these companies will also document and photograph everything they place in the storage unit which provides extra security and can provide you with extra peace of mind. Popular companies that offer these services include MakeSpace, Clutter, and Trove, though again most cities will have additional local options as well.
3 – PODS
PODS combine the flexibility of self-storage with some of the convenience of full-service storage. If you decide to rent a POD, the container will be dropped off at your home. This means you will need a place to keep the POD and it will be up to you to pack and store your belongings yourself. However, this will save you the hassle of having to load and unload your belongings onto trucks or make multiple trips to a storage unit to move everything. Instead, you can load things up at your own pace without worrying about the hassle of transportation. PODS are recommended mostly for short-term storage, but there is no limit to the amount of time you can have the POD at your home before the company comes to move your container to your new location or retrieves the POD if you decide you no longer need it.
4 – Lockers
Personal lockers can be a great way to store smaller items like luggage or shopping bags. This is useful if you are using public transportation or want to spend the day out without carrying your bags around. Most public lockers aren't considered very secure, so this would not be a recommended way to store valuables, especially over an extended period of time. Personal lockers can often be found at bus terminals or train stations and in gyms or physical fitness centers. They are also occasionally located in parks, zoos, and theme parks. There is usually a fee when using a locker, and occasionally you may need to pay for access to places like theme parks and gyms to get to the locker.
