Living in zip code 92101 Ð or more commonly known as downtown San Diego, California – has changed dramatically over the last fifteen years. One of the main impetuses behind the massive changes seems to be the opening of the Horton Plaza shopping complex back in 1985. Around that same time, the Center City Development Corporation was also created with a renewed focus on the redevelopment of San Diego’s downtown neighborhoods. Their efforts quickly led to an overhaul of the Gaslamp Quarter (more commonly referred to as the Gaslamp District by local San Diegans). Previously a red-light district from Broadway to Harbor Drive (in between 4^th and 6^th Avenues), it’s now filled with fine eating establishments, a few art galleries, and retail shops.

East Village, with a current population of over 10,000, as well has literally been transformed into a thriving residential community driven by the opening of the Padres home field, Petco Park, in 2004. Although certainly facing a significant homeless problem, East Village also has its share of upscale shops and restaurants, as well as calling itself home to the San Diego’s new central library. Despite the commercial presence, East Village is primarily a residential neighborhood.

In the northwest area of downtown San Diego is Little Italy. Once primarily a working-class fishing village filled with Italian and Portuguese residents, it’s since become quite gentrified over the last couple of decades. India Street, the main corridor through Little Italy, is dotted with restaurants, antique stores, and galleries. The surrounding streets are mainly comprised of high-rise and mid-rise condo complexes.

Living in a downtown setting, such as that offered by San Diego’s, offers numerous lifestyle perks. Walkability, which is the measurement of how friendly a neighborhood is for walking, is a significant benefit. The ability to just walk to a local grocery store, restaurant, bank, etc. is a major plus for many San Diegans. The wonderful views, especially of the bay, Point Loma, and the Coronado Bridge, are also nice added features.

The positives aside, living in downtown San Diego usually comes with one notable sacrifice Ð space. The vast majority of the homes in the area are condominiums and apartments as opposed to houses. These condos and apartments are obviously quite smaller than houses – with a condo averaging approx. 1,100 square feet as compared to well over double that size for a house. Factoring into the overall size of the unit, the general size of each room is naturally smaller. Additionally, the decreased size and number of closets is a factor as well as the availability of storage-related areas such as garages and basements. The lack of available outside areas that can be utilized for storage, such as patios and storage sheds, is also worth noting. While residents often move into downtown knowing that their home will be smaller, many do not give enough thought to the supplementary space that is needed for the storage of the belongings.

To address this lack of space, especially storage space, downtown residents often turn to local storage companies. Over the last decade, as mentioned, downtown San Diego has certainly seen a substantial increase in both residential and commercial residents. Along with this population growth has come the increasing need for storage services in downtown San Diego.

If you’re looking for an actual self-storage facility in downtown San Diego, your options are still somewhat limited. Here are several facilities Ð each of which are located in the 92101 zip code:

In the Ballpark area of downtown San Diego is, appropriately named, Ballpark Self Storage, which is located at 611 Island Ave, San Diego, CA 92101. Their website also refers to their company as StaxUp Storage. They are currently, as of the week of this post, offering an 8′ x 5′ (40 square feet) interior unit with elevator accessibility for a rate of $118 per month. This facility is very centrally located and is basically surrounded by various bars, restaurants, hotels, and several condo complexes. It borders the above-mentioned Gaslamp District.

In East Village, national storage company Public Storage, can be found at 560 16th Street, San Diego, CA 92101. They are presently (as of the week of this post) offering a 5′ x 5′ (25 square feet) interior unit with elevator accessibility for a rate of $79 per month. The neighborhood surrounding this facility is known to have a very serious homeless issue.

Near Little Italy, one can find A-1 Self Storage at 2235 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92101. They are offering (again, as of the week of this post) a 4′ x 10′ (40 square feet) interior unit with elevator accessibility for a rate of $85 per month. As mentioned above, Little Italy is a busting, growing neighborhood and the homeless issue isn’t nearly as bad as it is in other areas of downtown San Diego.

For those willing to go slightly beyond the downtown area, there are several other nearby self-storage centers such as those noted below:

Storage Etc. Has a facility located at 2150 Hancock St, San Diego, CA 92110 which is close to Mission Hills as well as the Midway District. This facility is currently offering a 4′ x 10′ (40 square feet) ground level unit for a rate of $107 per month. While it’s not located in 92101, this facility is quite close to the northern part of downtown.

Another A-1 Storage facility can be found at 3911 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92110 (also close to Mission Hills and the Midway District). A 4′ x 10” (40 square feet) here is currently being offered by them at a rate of $95 per month. While their website does not note which floor the unit is on, it does state that “easy elevator access” is available.

In the City Heights area (a few miles from downtown), Extra Space Storage has a facility at 3808 Cedar St, San Diego, CA 92105. They’re offering an indoor 5′ x 10′ unit (50 square feet) with stair access for a rate of $80 per month.

In Point Loma (five or six miles northwest of downtown) is Rocket Self Storage, which can be found at 5135 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92106. This facility is offering a 10′ x 5′ (50 square feet) interior unit with drive-up access for a rate of $249 per month.

Finally, Pacific Highway Storage, located in the Midway District, is located at 4350 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92110. An indoor 5′ x 8′ (40 square feet) unit here is currently being offered at a rate of $93 per month.

Of course, those seeking storage options in downtown San Diego are not limited to just self-storage. An alternate, more convenient, solution is portable storage. There are several portable storage companies that service the downtown San Diego area including Big Box Storage. Opting for this service, allows the customer to have the storage unit delivered to their downtown condo, apartment, or business. Upon delivery, the customer then loads the unit after which it is then picked up for storing within the company’s storage facility. Clearly the ability to avoid having to rent a truck, load it at your downtown address, and then unload it at the facility is a significant time (and cost) saver. This is especially the case downtown where it can be difficult to even to find a parking space for your rented truck.

Regarding rates, Big Box Storage provides, as of the date of this post, an 8′ x 5′ (40 square feet) for $74 per month ($64 should the customer be looking to commit to a twelve month minimum term). Multiple units (or “Big Boxes”) can be delivered if additional storage space is needed. Generally speaking, each Big Box is able to hold the equivalent of one to two rooms of contents.

Most downtown residents that select Big Box Storage have either one or two Big Boxes delivered. However, as also mentioned elsewhere on the site, customers are only charged for the number of Big Boxes that they actually use Ð not necessarily the number delivered. As such, if the customer is questioning between one and two Big Boxes, for example, it’s always best to overestimate and opt for to have the second Big Box delivered as well.

Delivery of a Big Box to downtown addresses can be accommodated using the particular loading area, docks, and/or spaces provided by the storage renter’s downtown building. The delivery fee, which covers the delivery of the empty Big Box as well the return its pickup, is waived with a three-month minimum storage term (otherwise, it runs $99).

Beyond the above-mentioned self-storage and portable storage options, some space seekers might be fortunate enough to have a friend or family member with an available garage or closet.

If you’re among the thousands of residents that call downtown San Diego home and you’re looking for some additional space, consider the above options. Beyond the brief overviews provided, it’s encouraged that you do so additional research into your preferred providers to determine the best solution you’re your particular needs. Some items to consider, aside from location and rates, include security at the facility and access hours. Storage in downtown San Diego certainly doesn’t have to be a challenge or a hassle. Should you have any questions regarding the matter, please feel free to speak with a Big Box Storage representative. They can be reached at 619-436-5020.

Oceanside California. Home of Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base, beautiful beaches, and a wooden pier that’s as historic as the quaint New England-style harbor and charming bungalow neighborhoods that make up “O’side”.

Whether you find yourself in Oceanside on a temporary basis, or you’ve settled down and you call 92054 home (or, of course, 92056 and 92057), then chances are you’ve found yourself reading this blog because you need storage in Oceanside. The digital ones and zeros that represent the knowledge you see here holds everything you need to know about storage in Oceanside.

Types of storage
There are 2 main types of storage available in Oceanside: walk-in units and portable units.

Walk-in storage units, also known as standard or traditional storage are those typically found under monikers such as “mini storage” “self-storage” or “moving and storage. With these types of storages, typically you’ll find units available for short terming renting (which typically caters to those looking for month to month storage options, but long term contracts are available as well). The units are typically available for both personal and business use, but it is worth the mention that almost every jurisdiction, Oceanside included, does not allow storage units to be used as domiciles.

Portable storage on the other hand (sometimes also referred to as mobile storage or containerized storage) is a service in which a storage unit is delivered to the customer’s home or business address. The customer is then able to load the container at their convenience. Once the loading process has been completed, the units can either be stored onsite at their address or they can have the portable storage company return to pick up the container for storing at the company’s facility. In some cases, such as that offered by Big Box Storage in Oceanside, secure, indoor storing is available, whereas in other cases, the company may just offer a piece of land (such as a parking lot) on which to store the container outdoors. For those storing their container at the company’s facility, they should inquire as to whether the container will be stored inside or outdoors and they should also ask if they will be able to access their container. While most portable storage companies allow customers to access, some require advance notice from as much as two days prior to as little as two hours.

Now that you know what types of storage there are when choosing which unit to go with, consider the L.A.P.S. = Location Accessibility Price and Security.

Locations

You could take a map of Oceanside, throw a dart and land within a couple of blocks of a traditional storage facility such as A1 Storage, Extra Space Storage, Security Public Storage, or CubeSmart Self Storage.

Renting a self-storage unit in Oceanside means that you typically will also need to rent a truck (unless you can borrow one or you already have one), load it with the contents destined for storage, and then drive to the facility. Once there, the truck is unloaded and the various items are placed into the rented storage unit. Once done, the truck is then returned to the truck rental company. Once the point is reached when the storage unit is no longer needed, the process is repeated in reverse. You’ll need to drive to the truck rental company, rent the truck, drive back to the self-storage facility, load the truck, drive to your home (or your destination address), unload the truck, drive back to truck rental company, and finally clean out and return the truck.

As a footnote, some self-storage companies in Oceanside do offer free use of a truck to transport your items when renting a unit from them. This would obviously save the time and cost of having to rent a truck. Note that in such situations, with the vast majority of these companies, the truck is not available for those looking to vacate their unit and transport their items back to their home (or elsewhere). Basically, it’s only available for the move-in process.

Alternatively, with portable storage units, your home address is the location! Portable storage is indisputably the most convenient option in almost all scenarios. The only time in which self-storage might possibly prove to be more convenient is for those customers that are seeking to gain access to their unit on a 24 hours basis and don’t happen to live close by to the portable storage facility.

Even if the scenario provides for the self-storage facility offering the renter the use of a free truck during the move-in, opting for a portable storage unit would still allow the renter to avoid having to drive to the self-storage facility to pick up the truck, drive back to their residence, load the truck, drive back to the self-storage company, and then drive back home. The driving time alone would likely be a couple of hours or more unless the renter happens to live very close to the self-storage facility. As such, being able to load the storage unit right at your home (or business) instead of having to go to a storage facility, clearly makes for a convenient move-in. Unloading a portable storage unit at the conclusion of your storage rental period is just as convenient as the unit is redelivered back to your address where you can unload it at your leisure.

Accessibility

Typically you may find that unmanned storage facilities have 24/7 access hours since they don’t require an employee’s physical presence to allow access to the customer. Should the customer have a need to access their Big Box while in storage, they have the option of having the Big Box redelivered back to their address or they can visit the company’s facility any day of the week. The address of the Big Box Storage facility is 7077 Consolidated Way, San Diego, CA 92121.

Price

As any local storage sleuth that has done their homework knows, storage rental rates can vary quite substantially throughout Oceanside. Just know that if you are comparing rates to other areas of San Diego, land values naturally tend to increase as one gets closer to the coast, so you may find that anything available in Oceanside may be more expensive than storage available in El Cajon. Beyond being close to the coast, there are several other factors that play a role in the storage rental rates offered by the different facilities. These include the different rates offered by competitors in the surrounding area, the perceived condition of the facility including its physical location within the compound (1st floor vs 3rd floor, how close the unit is to any available elevators if there are any), staffing levels, commitment to security (as addressed below), advertising/marketing costs, the current demand for storage services in Oceanside (it tends to be seasonal, in general), perceived affordability/purchasing power of the customers in the area, as well as the company’s desired gross profit margin. One could say this is not an exhaustive list but certainly covers the primary factors.

As of the date of this blog post. the rental rates offered by Big Box Storage in Oceanside vary only slightly depending upon the amount of time the customer plans to rent for. For those interested in renting for at least twelve months, the rental rate is just $79 per month (a discount of $10 off the company’s standard $89 monthly rate). Big Box Storage also waives its initial $99 delivery fee for those interested in renting for at least three months. This savings provides for the delivery of the empty Big Box(es) to the customer’s address as well as the return to pick up the Big Box(es) once the customer is done loading of it/them. Please note that the rates are also backed by a low-price guarantee, which ensures that the customer will receive a rate that is at least 10% less than the published rate of any other competitor storage company. Additionally, should the customer wish to schedule the delivery of their Big Box through the company’s site, they would also receive a $25 discount which would be applied directly towards the first month’s rent.

Those who tend to look for the lowest price should certainly shop around and check the different rental rates being offered in their area. Ultimately a decision on a rental unit might come down to value over price. Feel free to ask a Big Box Storage representative about any remaining questions you might have on the topic.

Security

While it’s recognized that break-ins and incidences of theft can and do happen, these events are typically not common occurrences at storage facilities nationwide. The majority of such losses are related, either directly or indirectly, to an existing or previous customer of the particular storage company. For example, a customer is inside the facility and they notice another unit that happens to be unlocked. After looking around to see if anyone is nearby (or if any cameras are monitoring the area), the urge to open the door overcomes them and they then steal some/all of the contents of the unit. With Big Box Storage, customers don’t access their units inside the area where the units are actually stored. Instead, whenever a customer wants to access their unit, it is placed into the access area which allows the customer to drive right up to it. Once they’re done with the access, the warehouse team then places it back into the secure storage facility. This process, in and of itself, is a significant barrier against occurrences of theft as it ensures that the individuals within the vicinity of the rented storage unit are primarily company employees. Beyond that, Big Box Storage also has a wide array of additional security measures including motion sensors, video cameras, and on-site staffing seven days a week.

Wrap Up

Hopefully, we’ve listed out all the main reasons why you should choose Big Box Storage in Oceanside for your portable storage needs. We’ve got the guaranteed lowest rate for portable storage, we come to you, and not to toot our own horn but Big Box Storage was named one of Expertise 2019 Best Storage Units in San Diego. Give us a call and set up your reservation today!

For those seeking to rent a storage unit in San Diego or one of its surrounding cities (Oceanside, San Marcos, Vista, Escondido, Poway, Carlsbad, Del Mar, El Cajon, La Mesa, Chula Vista, Bonita, etc.), below is an overview of five reasons why their first and only choice should be Big Box Storage, San Diego’s portable storage company.

1. Convenience Ð Seldom does anyone in San Diego (or really anywhere) ever think of the words convenience and storage in the same sentence. By its very nature, storage brings about thoughts of excess labor and hassles. A typical vision of storage might include having to rent or borrow a large truck (this includes driving to a truck rental outlet to pick up the rental as well as driving back to the outlet once the process has been completed). Once the truck has been picked up, the real fun begins for the storage seeker. At that point they can drive the truck back to their local San Diego address and start loading their items into it. Household goods such as furniture, televisions, mattresses, as well as boxes of clothes and accessories are all common targets for inclusion. Ideally the items will all fit into the truck so as to ensure that multiple trips won’t be needed back and forth between their address and the storage facility. If not, additional trips will obviously be involved. Beyond the additional time involved with multiple trips, if the storage user has rented the truck, this will also mean additional mileage and gas costs to absorb. Essentially, the described situation is the complete opposite of convenient.

Alternatively, as you may already be aware, the service offering by Big Box Storage allows the renter to avoid all of the above-mentioned inconveniences. Instead of having to rent a truck, load the truck, and drive to the storage facility, Big Box Storage delivers the storage unit directly to the customer’s residential or business address. It’s generally placed in an area where a car might otherwise park such as a driveway or parking space (basically as close to the customer’s front door as possible). Once it’s been delivered to the address, the renter then takes as much time as they need to load the unit. Some renters might only need an hour or two while others might need weeks or even months. Whatever the desired loading time window, it’s no problem as there’s certainly no rush. Once they’ve completed the loading, the company returns and picks up the unit. After the pickup, it’s transported back to the company’s secure storage facility in San Diego where it is stored inside. Just as with most traditional self-storage facilities, access to the unit is then available seven days a week should the renter ever need to retrieve something from the unit (or place additional items into it).

So the choice seems clear. If convenience is a driving factor in the search for storage, there are significant advantages in terms of cost, time, and effort when opting for a portable storage solution, as offered by Big Box Storage, over traditional self-storage.

2. Price Ð As any local storage seeker that has done some homework knows, storage rental rates vary quite substantially throughout San Diego County. Check on a price at a facility near La Jolla and you’ll quickly see that it’s considerably more than the price for the same size storage unit in El Cajon or Escondido. This isn’t to knock the later locations Ð it’s simply that land values naturally tend to increase as one gets closer to the coast. As such, storage rates also tend to increase based on these geographics. Beyond proximity to the coast, there are numerous other factors that play a role in the storage rental rates offered by the different companies. These include the different rates offered by competitors in the surrounding area, the perceived condition of the facility, commitment to security (addressed below), staffing levels, advertising/marketing costs, the current demand for storage services in San Diego (it tends to be seasonal, in general), perceived affordability/purchasing power of the customers in the area, as well as the company’s desired gross profit margin. These are only some of the factors (although the primary ones).

As of the date of this blog post. the rental rates offered by Big Box Storage vary slightly depending upon the desired minimum rental term of the customer. For those interested in renting for at least twelve months, the rental rate is just $79 per month (an approximate discount of 15 percent off the company’s standard $89 monthly rate). The company also waives its initial $99 delivery fee for customers interested in renting for at least three months. This fee waiver provides for the delivery of the empty Big Box(es) to the customer’s address as well as the return to pickup the Big Box(es) once the customer has completed the loading of it/them. As for how the Big Box rates compare to other storage companies, please note that the rates are also backed by a low-price guarantee, which ensures that the customer will receive a rate that is at least 10% less than the published rate of any other competitor storage company. Additionally, should the customer wish to schedule the delivery of their Big Box through the company’s site, they would also receive a $25 discount which would be applied directly towards the first month’s rent.

Those who place a high premium on a low price should certainly shop around and check the different rental rates being offered in their area. Ultimately a decision on a rental unit should come down to value over price. Feel free to ask a Big Box Storage representative about any questions you might have on the topic.

3. Location Ð If you live within “greater” San Diego County (loosely described as Oceanside in the north, El Cajon in the east, and Chula Vista in the south), then there’s a very good chance that you live within several miles of a self-storage facility. In total, there are several dozen facilities within this area. As such, prospective storage renters have ample choices to select from when looking for a provider in the location or neighborhood.

In the situation offered by Big Box Storage, the “location” of the storage unit is actually almost as close as your front door. As the unit is delivered right to your address and that is where the customer would load it, the need to drive to and from a facility is negated. The company delivers throughout the above-mentioned greater San Diego County (deliveries beyond this area are also available for an additional fee).

Should the customer have a need to access their Big Box while in storage, they have the option of having the Big Box redelivered back to their address or they can visit the company’s facility any day of the week. The address of the Big Box Storage facility is 7077 Consolidated Way, San Diego, CA 92121.

4. Security Ð While not common events at storage facilities nationwide, break-ins and incidences of theft can and do happen. The majority of such occurrences are related, either directly or indirectly, to an existing or previous customer of the particular facility. For example, a customer is inside the facility and they notice another unit that happens to be unlocked. After looking around to see if anyone is nearby (or if any cameras are monitoring the area), the urge to open the door overcomes them and they then steal some/all of the contents of the unit. With Big Box Storage, customers do not access their units inside the area where the units are actually stored. Instead whenever a customer wishes to access their unit, it’s placed into an access area which allows the customer to drive right up to it. Once they’re done with the access, it’s then placed back into the secure storage facility. This process, in and of itself, is a significant barrier against occurrences of theft as it ensures that the individuals within the vicinity the rented storage unit are primarily company employees. Beyond such, Big Box Storage also a wide array of additional security measures including video cameras, motion sensors, and on-site staffing seven days a week (please inquire for hours).

5. Size Ð Storage units come in a wide variety of sizes. Some common ones include 5’x5′, 5’x8′, 5’x10′, and 5’x15′. Beyond square footage, a storage renter should also take into account the height of the unit. While most are 7’+ feet, some are as short as just 4′. With Big Box Storage, the units (or rather Big Boxes) are all identical in terms of size. Each one is 5’x8’x7′ as measured by exterior dimensions (with the 7′ dimension being the height). In situations where a Big Box Storage customer needs additional space, multiple Big Boxes can always be delivered to their address. The company’s trucks can hold up to five Big Boxes at a time. It is suggested that, when estimating the amount of space needed, the customer overestimate. For example, if they are debating between one or two Big Boxes, it’s suggested that they have two delivered. This will ensure that they have the space that they need available. However, should they find that they don’t need the additional box, the company will return to pick it up empty and the customer will not be charged for it. Essentially, it’s there if they need it and there’s no cost if they don’t. Prospective renters will find a link to a helpful storage space estimator tool at the bottom of this page. Additionally, customers in need of multiple Big Boxes scan also opt to have them delivered at different time. With this staggered delivery approach, the customer can have one unit delivered, and then, once they are done loading the first, they can have a second delivered at the time the first one is being picked up.

Deciding on a storage provider is undoubtedly an important choice. Over the last seventeen years, tens of thousands of storage renters have included these above four factors in their decision-making process before opting to rent from Big Box Storage. For more information on the services offered by the company, please contact the company at 619-436-5020. Happy storing!

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.

Planning, organizing, and packing to store your household goods into a storage unit in San Diego can be more complicated than it looks. You need to consider the dimensions of the unit, how many boxes you will need, and what can go in the boxes. You will need to calculate the items and space required to store your household goods. Added to that, storage, delivery, and pickup must also be organized. Here is a helpful list of things you need to do when packing and loading your storage unit in San Diego.

How Much Storage Space Do You Need?

There are some storage space calculators you can access online (including the one found at the bottom of this page), so don’t crack out the mathematical equations just yet. If this is your first time renting a storage unit in San Diego, you need to make sure the one you get is not too small or too large. Please refer to our guidelines below to make sure you get the Goldilocks amount of storage unit space.

A Brief Overview of Storage Unit Size Guidelines

Storage facilities in San Diego typically offer a variety of storage unit types in different sizes. They are also available in indoor and outdoor options. You should consider indoor temperature controlled storage for certain household goods. This overview will give you a rough estimate of how much you can fit into every unit.

5×5 Units: This 25 square foot unit is approximately the size of a home closet. They are ideal for storing compact items like boxes, kids’ mattresses, vinyl records, books, files, and any miscellaneous stuff you want to hang onto. They are very reasonably priced if you are looking for a long term storage solution for precious mementos. They are great for items such as baseball cards, school yearbooks, and Beanie Babies.

5×8 Units: 40 square foot units are often perfect for storing kitchen appliances, chairs, bicycles, boxes, and bedroom set. Imagine extra stuff you would find in a campus dorm room or studio apartment; that’s what you can fit in one of these units.

5×15 Units: These 75 square foot units are great for storing the household contents of a one-bedroom apartment. It can handle a couch, chairs, one table, bicycles, and boxes. It is the best size to store seasonal sporting equipment and business merchandise.

10×10 Units: You don’t have to be a genius to know that this unit provides you with a comfortable 100 square foot of storage space. It’s ideal for storing audiovisual equipment, a king-size mattress, and other size mattresses. You can store washer and dryer appliances, a dining room set, and sitting room furniture. The unit fits anything you would find in a two bedroom apartment.

10×15 Units: This 150 square foot unit can easily hold the contents of a three bedroom house or apartment. You can fit widescreen TVs, sporting equipment, bikes, a variety of furniture, and even musical equipment for a band.

10×20 Units: If you are in between boathouses or need extra space for your car or motorbike collection, this 200 square foot unit is the ideal size for you. If you need to store the household contents of a four-bedroom house, this unit is a sufficient size.

10×25 Units: This 250 square foot unit can safely store a boat and trailer with room to spare.

10×30 Units: You can store Winnebagos, caravans, trucks, and any other large items in this 300 square foot space. A storage unit of this size can comfortably store the entire contents of a large home.

Storage companies also often provide vehicle parking spaces. With such companies, there is a selection of outdoor, covered, and indoor parking for car collections, boats, and recreational vehicles. Even the parking spaces can come in a variety of sizes. If you want to maintain your vehicle in pristine condition in a temperature controlled environment, indoor storage is the best option. If you need to protect a vehicle from dust and grit, a covered parking space with a tarp over the car is an excellent choice. If you have a trailer, car, motorcycle, or truck that needs storing, then outdoor parking is the best short and mid-term storage solution.

Make a Plan

The best way to plan for putting your stuff into storage is to make a list of packing, self-storage, safety, and longevity tips. Both long- and short-term self-storage is the perfect way to clear out an attic or basement. You can convert such spaces into a living space. You can convert a garage or basement to make way for a more spacious environment. Any period of transition or extra roominess in the home fits in with a convenient long- or short- term storage solution.

Make sure you choose a reliable storage company when you store items. You are placing your belongings in the care of a third party, so do your due diligence and read online reviews or ask friends and family for recommendations. Even if what you plan on storing has no significant resale value, you should still not use a sketchy storage company just because they are cheap. Remember, while stored items may be replaceable, you can never replace the sentimental value of photo albums, yearbooks, and childhood toys.

Don’t leave selecting a storage unit facility to the very last moment. The facility should have a unit size suitable for your requirements. The price should match your budget. And the facility should be close by so you can access the contents if you want to use something. The proximity of the facility is especially crucial if you are using storage for seasonal sporting equipment.

Make a List of Contents

You must be sure to take an inventory in detail of what you plan to store. So many people fail to do this, and when they get home, they find a misplaced bicycle or forgotten lawnmower they accidentally left behind. When you make a list of the contents to be packed and stored, it helps you to determine what unit size you are going to need. A list also helps you to stay organized.

The list doesn’t have to be super-detailed or mention the number of spoons or tennis balls. It only needs to be a general overview of the stuff you want to place in the unit. For example, write “2 x mattresses, 1 x baby’s cot, 7 x boxes, and 3 x tricycles.” When you have that written down, none of the items will be forgotten. You will know what size unit you need.

Bottom to Top, Back to Front

How to set about packing a storage unit is relatively straightforward. Label every box with what it contains. If your storage company is offering storage, delivery, and pickup, you will still need to know the contents of boxes. Labeling the boxes is critical if you plan on visiting your unit or will be unpacking it at some other point.

You will be surprised how easy it is to forget which box contains what after a few months in storage. If you are packing your unit, either on-site or at your home, before the unit is transported to the facility, then it must be done strategically. Don’t allow anything to shift while in transit. Store items and household goods you are most likely to need toward the front of your unit. The things you know you will be happy to live without for a very long time (old photo albums, toys, and appliances you have in double) should go at the back. Remember to think vertically. Instead of crowding items across the bottom so you can bend down to pick them up, stack them high. Take advantage of your unit’s height. Most units are around 8 feet tall. Always keep the heavy items and boxes on the ground for stability. This way, you can prevent them from crushing the boxes underneath.

The most crucial stacking, packing, and storing tip when it comes to storage units is to leave a pathway so that you can move from the front of the unit to the back unimpeded. When you do this, no packed item will be out of reach.

Items to Exclude

What things should I leave out when I am packing for a storage unit? This question is frequently asked if you are using a portable storage facility or self-storage. Even portable storage facilities need to know when they come and transport your unit to the facility, whether it contains undesirable items.

It’s enough to say that living in a storage unit is forbidden and usually only seen in movies anyway. However, the moderate weather we experience in San Diego wouldn’t be an issue for those looking to call a storage unit home. Storage facilities are not being unreasonable when they enforce item exclusion rules; they are set for them by federal, state, and local restrictions.

Chemicals, hazardous materials, and waste storage: Nothing flammable, radioactive, or explosive is allowed in a storage facility. Corrosive chemicals, toxic and harmful substances, and odoriferous liquids cannot be stored either. Lead paints, urea formaldehyde, petroleum or petroleum-based products, polychlorinated biphenyl, methane, and medical waste are defined by federal legislation as unsuitable for storage.

Plants: Living plants need water and light to grow. Seeds are alright to be stored, but planters and pot plants are not allowed to be stored.

Animals: Under no condition is it okay for anyone to place a live animal in a storage unit. Stuffed animals are permitted.

Firearms, gunpowder, ammunition, and explosives: You cannot store your firearm/s in a unit. Nor can you store fireworks, explosives, or munitions. If your storage unit explodes unexpectedly, it’s a safe bet that you will be spending your next Independence Day in prison somewhere.

Hot stuff: If you think your friend might be asking you to hide assets, stolen goods, or drugs in your storage units, then say no.

Cash shouldn’t be stored in a storage unit, no matter what you may have seen in Breaking Bad. If something happens to cash stored in this way, your insurance will not cover it.

Storage companies, including Big Box Storage, specify the exact excluded items in the rental agreements.

If you need any help or advice on loading, packing, or selecting a storage unit in San Diego, Big Box Storage can help you. Big Box Storage is the number one portable storage company in the San Diego area.