Thirty-one million Americans move each year. Of this number, 3 million move interstate. While people have their reasons for moving, moving out of state could be a daunting task.
Besides the fact that you spend money putting things in place, storing your belongings is another concern. Luckily, the availability of storage units combats this challenge and reduces the stress. If you're not moving to your new home immediately, you may have to choose to store items temporarily.
Storage units are a great solution to transition challenges. In addition to this, they are a cost-effective way of keeping your items safe with no inconvenience. You can use the storage units for as long as you desire.
Suppose you are considering selling your house. It could be challenging to find trusted house buyers, and moving your stuff out as soon as possible puts you at an advantage. Aside from helping you sell faster, it makes moving easier.
Suppose your new home is not ready yet. You may need to keep important items in the storage temporarily.
Suppose you want to make a trip before moving to the new state. Keeping your stuff in a storage unit gives you the freedom to do other things before settling down. You could travel in between with an assurance of safety.
Storage units are ideal for short notice movements.
When moving, you will come across one of the following storage solutions. It is good to consider which works best for you before making a choice.
Self-Storage Units. These are suitable for in-between moves. The contracts range from month to month, so they work for both short-term and long-term purposes. A major advantage of the self-storage unit is that you can access your stuff anytime.
On-Demand Storage. The on-demand storage works like Uber, you make an order, and you get the service. Here's how it works, a team of movers come to your home, collect your stuff, and take them to a secure unit. Whenever you're ready, they deliver back to you. No stress. The only downside of this service is that they could be high-end, especially if you have large items. Some also have to be a long-term contract: three months or more.
Portable Storage/Moving Pods. They are storage containers that can be part of your property for as long as you'd need them. If you like, you could keep the container in the company's warehouse until you're ready for retrieval. While this method has more convenience, it is not ideal for long-term storage because storage costs could become pricey.
A Moving Truck. It may sound unconventional, but it works. With moving trucks, you save yourself multiple trips to the storage unit. Also, you can pack all the items you need at once. Depending on the size you opt for, a moving truck can pack the heavy stuff.
Moving trucks also come with price variance depending on their capacity, so you always have a price that works for you. With Route 4 Storage, the moving truck is free. For a full service moving company, the best time to hire one is during winter because it's a slower season.
It is better to store items of value until you're settled. If you can replace an item easily if left behind, you might not store them in the unit. Items with sentimental values can go in the unit until you find a new spot for them.
Before you move, consider downsizing so that you can determine how much storage space you need. If you're considering a storage unit around your new location, find a spot closest to you. It gives you time to settle in without worrying about your items. Consider comparing prices so that you can opt for the best and most cost-effective option.
It should not be surprising that you might incur emergency costs when you want to make an emergency move. However, making your bookings ahead of time could give you favorable options. Although most storage unit companies don't allow you to book more than 30 days ahead, you could inspect the unit and ask the right questions within the time frame.