Storage Units Near UCSD from Big Box Storage

Every year, especially in June, Big Box Storage delivers dozens of storage units to University of California San Diego (UCSD) students. Most students use these units to store their belongings from their dorms or apartments during the three-month summer break.

Some students may be leaving college early and need storage for an unknown period while they plan their future after college. Yet others might be spending a semester abroad and require storage for the duration of time spent elsewhere. These students need to rent storage units near UCSD to store their personal belongings and items for a certain period.

Unlike the common semester system, UCSD operates on a quarter system with fall, winter, spring, and summer quarters. The spring quarter ends between June 10th and 17th, allowing students to put in extra time during the summer if desired.

Commencement dates seem to vary slightly depending on the actual college at UCSD that the student attends – Revelle, Muir, Marshall, Warren, Roosevelt (or ERC), or Sixth. The fall quarter then generally commences at some point around September 20th through 28th. It’s during these months when students need storage the most.

Students will be pleased to hear that there are ample options for the rental of storage units near UCSD. Within a five-mile radius of the UCSD campus, there are at least six self-storage facilities for students to select. Following is a listing of some of these companies and their local addresses:

• All Right Storage – 11300 Sorrento Valley Rd, San Diego, CA 92121
• Extra Space Storage –  6360 Miramar Rd, San Diego, CA 92121
• Golden Triangle Self Storage – 10345 Sorrento Valley Rd, San Diego, CA 92121
• Public Storage – two locations – 11303 Sorrento Valley Rd, San Diego, CA 92121 and 6200 Miramar Rd, San Diego, CA 92121)
• Storage West – 5206 Eastgate Mall, San Diego, CA 92121

Beyond self-storage centers, UCSD students also have a more convenient option – portable storage. This service delivers storage units directly to students’ dorms or apartments near UCSD or anywhere across San Diego.

Portable Storage: A Convenient Option

Beyond self-storage centers, UCSD students have a more convenient option – portable storage. This service delivers storage units directly to students’ dorms or apartments near UCSD or anywhere across San Diego.

The storage unit is placed wherever a car can park. The student packs the unit, and the storage company picks it up and stores it nearby. When the student no longer needs the rental space at the end of summer, the company delivers the unit back to them, on or off campus.

Big Box Storage, San Diego’s largest portable storage company, has been serving UCSD students for over 17 years. Back then, Sixth College and the Rady School of Management were just opening on the UCSD campus.

Ease of Use with Big Box Storage

The company’s delivery and pickup service means students don’t need to visit the storage facilities. However, if they want to, Big Box Storage is about four miles from UCSD at 7077 Consolidated Way, San Diego, CA 92121. The facility is open seven days a week, so students can retrieve or add items to their unit anytime.

Moving Belongings to Storage

Choosing a storage provider is just the first step. Students still need to move their belongings into the storage unit. If they choose a conventional self-storage company, they will typically need to rent a truck to transport their items. This means loading the truck at their dorm or apartment and unloading it at the storage facility near UCSD.

Alternatively, choosing a portable storage company like Big Box Storage allows them to load the unit at their address and avoid truck rentals. At the end of the rental period, the company redelivers the unit to their new address.

Selecting the Right Storage Unit Size

Students need to decide on the size of the storage unit. Most UCSD students, and San Diego college students in general, need 25 to 50 square feet. This might be a 5′ x 5′ unit, a 5′ x 8′ unit, or a 5′ x 10′ unit. They should also check the height of the unit.

While most units are over 7 feet tall, some companies offer units as short as 3 or 4 feet. Some companies list the height, while others only list the floor space, which affects the total cubic footage. Big Box Storage only offers a single-size unit, which is 8′ x 5′ x 7′ (L x W x H, exterior dimensions).

Upwards of 95% of the time, college students renting from the company only need one “Big Box.” The size typically holds up to a room and a half of belongings. For example, a unit of this size can hold a king-size bed and mattress, a couple of nightstands, a kitchen table, four kitchen chairs, and 20 to 30 standard cardboard boxes of items. This size is usually sufficient for most college students.

You can utilize the Big Box storage space estimator to see how many storage units you may need.

Storage Rental Costs and Considerations

The rental costs for storage units near UCSD vary. When renting, students should consider all costs: truck rental fees, travel time, loading time, “move-in” charges ($15-$20), and the monthly rental rate. Big Box Storage offers affordable rates, free delivery and pickup for rentals of at least three months.

Self-storage facilities near UCSD often charge anywhere from $60 to $90 as a monthly rental rate for a 40 sq. ft. unit. Note that these rates do not include other potential costs and fees.

Regarding costs, the monthly rental rate for renting a “Big Box” is $74 (as of the date of this publishing). Beyond the monthly rate, Big Box Storage offers free delivery of the empty unit and free pickup of the full unit if the student rents for at least three months.

For those unwilling to commit to the three-month term, the delivery/pickup fee is $99. However, the minimum term seems to be an ideal length for students in need of summer storage. For those interested in scheduling online, a further $25 discount is applied to the first month’s rental rate.

Once the student has selected which storage unit near UCSD that they will be renting, they should also take into account several other considerations.

Here’s a partial list:

– Scheduling in advance. Avoid appearing at a self-storage facility without any advance reservation. One primary reason is that they might not have the space available or the right size unit needed.

While this situation wouldn’t occur with a portable storage company since they deliver the unit to the student, the delivery appointment should still be scheduled in advance (ideally at least five days) to ensure the desired delivery time is available.

– Padlock. Regardless of whether the student is opting for a self-storage company or a portable storage company, their rented unit will still need a padlock to ensure the further security of their stored belongings.

If the student doesn’t have a padlock or doesn’t want to purchase one, they can buy directly from the storage company. Costs vary but generally run between $7 and $15. The student should also inquire about the storage company’s security measures at their facility. Basic measures such as video surveillance and alarms should be viewed as mandatory.

– Sharing a storage unit. Obviously, the benefit of sharing a storage unit is getting to share the rent. These situations are ideal for roommates who are going to be roommates even after the summer break (or whatever their storage rental period may be).

– Advance payment. Most students need storage for just three months during summer break. Paying for the entire rental upfront can help avoid late fees and the hassle of remembering monthly payments.

– Storing with a friend. Besides self-storage and portable storage, some students near UCSD might store their belongings with a friend. Many UCSD students are from the San Diego area, including La Jolla, and may have extra space at home for a friend’s or fellow student’s belongings.

Though not very common, storing items with a friend can be ideal due to the savings. Even if rent is free, the student still needs to figure out how to transport their items. If they don’t have a truck or large car, renting a truck from a company like U-Haul is a likely solution. They should also consider additional costs like insurance and gas.

For UCSD students interested in a portable storage solution, Big Box Storage is conveniently located just a few miles from the campus. The company offers free initial delivery and pickup of the storage unit for students looking to store for at least three months. Contact Big Box Storage at (619) 353-5995 for a hassle-free storage experience tailored to meet the needs of UCSD students.