College life is complex, from hectic schedules to applying for summer internships to finding boxes to moving out for 3-4 months. On top of all that, there’s the hassle of filling them with your belongings and finding someplace to put them when you are out of town, but most students have a variety of public and private storage options to choose from. So when the school year is over and it’s time to move, here is an overview of the typical options college students have for storing their things when they are not on campus and what the process of finding a storage space looks like!
FAQs
Here are some common questions we get about college storage options!
How Do I Find College Student Storage Units Near Me?
A simple Google search for college storage options in your city will often provide a strong overview of options that may be available to you. You can also check with your campus to learn about some of the most common options students near you ultimately choose. Although these are the most common options for finding storage options that may be available to you, it is still difficult to find a storage space that is actually available to use because many traditional storage facilities operate with the expectation of being full or nearly full at all times. This means that just because a facility is the first option Google shows you does not mean it will meet your needs. Neighbor.com is often a better option for connecting students with cheaper, safer, and closer options that are actually available when you need them.
What Size Storage Unit Do I Need for a Dorm Room?
Dorm rooms generally do not hold as much as a typical apartment, which means that you can usually rent a much smaller storage unit. Depending on the specific items you are looking to store, you may be able to use the smallest unit available, but even that may mean paying for more space than you need. Choosing a private storage option may be a better fit than paying for a larger storage unit than you can fill.
How Can College Students Store Their Things During the Summer Break?
College students have a wide range of options for summer storage, which can be especially helpful if they are flying home or otherwise live too far from their campus to easily transport all their belongings multiple times throughout their education. Some campuses provide their own storage options, especially those that welcome a high percentage of international students or students from far enough across the country that driving home is not feasible. If yours does not, you can rent a traditional storage unit, search for a micro storage space that might be more reasonable for the smaller amount of items that can typically fit in a dorm, or rent private storage space in a local resident’s home or other property.
How Long Can I Store Items in My College Town?
College often comes with an above-average amount of moving in a short amount of time, and self-storage solutions can give you several flexible options for short-term or long-term storage. Many storage units allow you to rent for an unlimited amount of time as long as you start with a month-to-month rental plan, although it can be harder to find good short-term options that allow you to only pay for the time you need. Private options often provide a higher level of flexibility for meeting the unique shorter storage needs many students have.
Can I Store My Belongings on Campus During Breaks?
Most colleges allow you to keep your things in your dorm over winter break if you will be returning for the spring semester, but summer storage is often limited to students that are staying on campus for the summer. This option is generally only available for students that are working on campus or attending summer classes, but some larger schools do offer limited options for students that live far away. Checking with your college first can be the easiest way to find storage if yours has campus space available. If it does not, most college towns are large enough to have public or private storage options available that are not affiliated with your campus.
How Do I Rent a Storage Unit as a College Student?
For off-campus storage, you will simply need to provide a form of identification to rent most storage spaces. It is also helpful to know exactly what you are looking for before getting in touch with the company, such as the specific size you need. You will also want to purchase a heavy-duty lock in advance if you are looking to rent a traditional storage facility and determine what type of payment the facility expects before deciding whether it will work for you.
How Old Do I Have to Be to Rent a Storage Unit?
Most storage spaces require renters to be 18 years old, which means that most college students are old enough to do so on their own. You may need to have a parent handle the rental for you if you are under 18.
Types of College Storage Units
Here are some of the main storage options that may be available to you as a college student!
Self Storage Units
Most college students that rent a storage unit choose a self-storage option that’s off campus. This option is typically cheaper and allows you to fill, unload, and access your unit as often as you need to on your own.
Full-Service Units
A full-service unit might be a good solution for you if you do not have a car and have no way to get your things to a storage unit that is not close to campus. With this option, movers will pick up your items from your dorm, transport them to the storage unit, and return them to your new living space when you return to campus. This takes a little more coordination as you have to schedule pickup and drop-off. Additionally, moving services or moving companies are often more expensive but more hassle-free.
Campus Storage
Some campuses offer onsite or offsite storage services for students during breaks, but these options can be difficult to find and are often limited to students that meet certain requirements.
Private Storage Solutions
Choosing a private storage solution can be an easier and more cost-effective alternative to renting a traditional storage unit. Storing your items in a community member’s home or elsewhere on their property often gives you more flexibility to only pay for the specific days and amount of space you need. Companies like Neighbor.com make it easy to find everything you need for your items, all through a convenient app.
Considerations When Renting Student Storage
Choosing the right student storage option for you starts with thinking carefully about exactly how much space you need and how long you need it. Here are some of the most things to consider when making decisions about storing your things in college!
Length of Rental
Many college students only need to rent storage space for a short amount of time, which means that choosing a flexible option that does not require a rental contract that is much longer than you need it to be is a must. Your dorm or college apartment’s move-in and move-out dates are also unlikely to give you much choice about when you need to start and finish using your rental space, which can make using many traditional storage unit rental companies that require set monthly or quarterly rentals difficult.
Whether you need to rent a storage space for a few weeks over winter break or a few months during the summer, choosing a less traditional but more flexible alternative can make it easier to make sure your storage space is available when you need it without paying more for the extra time you do not need. Choosing a self-service host can also help you keep your belongings safe during more complicated situations, such as needing storage for just a week or two between moving out of your dorm and the beginning of your local apartment lease for the next year or summer storage that turns into an unexpected gap year when you would prefer to leave your things in your college town without coming back to deal with them yourself until you eventually return to school.
Frequency of Access
Many college students only rent storage space when they are not in town and do not plan to need to access their belongings until they return, but the terms of your rental may look different if you anticipate needing frequent access to your storage space.
If you expect to need to access your things periodically on your own, such as if you are attending a school that is far enough from your hometown that you will be unable to go home during the semester or year and need to keep all your seasonal items in your college town and rotate them into your dorm frequently, you may prioritize a close storage space that you can access easily even if it costs a bit more. However, if you anticipate only accessing your storage space when you have plenty of people to help you move into or out of your dorm, you may be able to choose the most affordable space you can find even if it is too difficult to get to and move anything without a car.
Budget
Many college students have a more limited income and overall budget than the average adult, especially if they are covering their own tuition and on-campus housing or paying rent for the first time. This means that finding an affordable place to store belongings can be particularly important, and choosing a self-storage host instead of a traditional storage unit can often make essential storage easier to fit into your budget. Renters who use apps like Neighbor.com save on average $1200 a year. These rates are often lower in the first place because you are making the most of space that already exists instead of paying for a storage unit a row of units and working with a private individual can also give you more flexibility for negotiating a lower rate.
Storage Unit Size Guide
Most college students do not need large storage units because dorms do not hold very much. For this reason, choosing a micro storage unit or private storage space can often be a more cost-effective option than renting a full-sized storage unit. Here is a helpful guide for determining what size storage unit might be the best fit for your needs!
Common Reasons for Needing to Rent a Storage Unit in College
Students may need to rent storage space for a wide range of reasons. A storage unit or private storage space may be helpful if you:
- Do not want to bring everything from your dorm home for the summer
- Are flying home and cannot fit everything into checked bags
- Are changing dorm rooms between semesters
- Have a gap between the last day you can move out of your dorm and the start of a lease
- Are taking a semester off
Summing Up College Storage Solutions
To sum up, college storage can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a little planning and research, you can find a storage solution that fits your budget and meets your needs. Whether you opt for a self-storage unit, a full-service option, or a private storage solution, taking the time to make an informed decision can help you enjoy a more comfortable and organized living space during your college years.
If you are interested in learning more, this article covers additional storage tips and important things to know about what student storage typically looks like!
