[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/finding-the-right-storage-facility\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/finding-the-right-storage-facility\/","headline":"3 Tips on Finding the Right Storage Facility","name":"3 Tips on Finding the Right Storage Facility","description":"For whatever reason, you have to move out of your current apartment, but you can\u2019t move into your […]","datePublished":"2019-03-19","dateModified":"2025-10-27","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/author\/kevin\/#Person","name":"Great Moving (Kevin)","url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/author\/kevin\/","identifier":5,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b4997c379c86a878ffe0e2cbc54f56f2298ff0763e895fa10c13c22bfb54a237?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b4997c379c86a878ffe0e2cbc54f56f2298ff0763e895fa10c13c22bfb54a237?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NYC Great Movers","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/nycgreatmovers-logo-20250918.png","url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/nycgreatmovers-logo-20250918.png","width":600,"height":363}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/storage-warehouse-1553550_1920.jpg","url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/storage-warehouse-1553550_1920.jpg","height":638,"width":960},"url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/finding-the-right-storage-facility\/","about":["Moving Tips"],"wordCount":1218,"keywords":["Blog","Brooklyn movers","Great Moving","movers","movers nyc","Moving","NYC Movers","Right Storage Facility","storage","Tips","top movers"],"articleBody":"For whatever reason, you have to move out of your current apartment, but you can\u2019t move into your new one yet. This happens more often than you might think. If you find yourself in this situation, you need to figure out how to store all of your belongings. New York City alone has 300+ different storage facilities that offer different sizes and rates depending on your needs.With so many options, though, how do you find the right storage facility? Hopefully, these tips can help you narrow down your choices to the ones that make the most sense for you.Find the Right Storage UnitYou might think that the only difference between storage units is their size. And while that is the main factor when it comes to pricing, there are a few other things to keep in mind when researching the right place.Size \u2013 The bigger your unit, the higher the cost, which might make it tempting to go for the smallest option available. After all, you don\u2019t want to spend any more money than you need, right? Before you jump on the 8\u2019 x 8\u2019 bandwagon, you\u2019ll actually want to tape out the square footage you think you need somewhere in your apartment. Stack all of your belongings inside the blocked-out area and see if everything will fit comfortably. If not, you\u2019ll need to go up a size.Usually, you\u2019ll want some extra space in your unit to check out your boxes, but since this storage situation is short-term, you probably can go with the smallest unit that will fit all of your belongings comfortably. Comparison of Storage Facility AmenitiesAmenityBenefitsImpact on PricingClimate-Controlled UnitsProtects sensitive items from extreme heat, cold, or humidity.Typically 20-40% higher than standard units.24\/7 SecurityCameras, alarms, and guards provide peace of mind for valuables.Adds $10-$30\/month depending on facility size and location.Insurance OptionsCovers potential damage or theft; some facilities require it for high-value items.$5-$20\/month based on coverage amount.Loading DocksMakes moving large items easier and faster.May slightly increase monthly fees, often included in mid-to-large facilities.Elevator AccessNecessary for multi-floor storage, it helps move heavy items safely.May add $5-$15\/month depending on building type. Location \u2013 While it\u2019s convenient to store everything near your new apartment, sometimes it\u2019s not always feasible. If you\u2019re price sensitive, don\u2019t limit your search to a particular neighborhood. Expand to other locations that might be a bit cheaper. If you\u2019re okay with paying a bit more, then look for locations near your home to reduce the time you\u2019d need to spend on movers on load-in and load-out.Amenities \u2013 If you have temperature and humidity-sensitive items, you\u2019ll want to go with an indoor climate-controlled unit versus an outdoor garage-style one. While these cost more money, you can rest assured that your items will remain in good condition. Storing valuables? Pay the extra money for a facility that offers 24\/7 security and monitoring. Some larger storage units even offer insurance to protect your belongings in case of things like theft and damage.Do Some ResearchNot all storage facilities are created equal, and while it might seem boring, it\u2019s a good idea to look into your options before jumping on the first one that provides you with the right size, location, and amenities.Reviews – Yes, people actually review storage facilities! While you should take them with a grain of salt, user reviews on Google or Yelp can still provide you with some insight as to the quality of the facility. If all of the reviews are negative, you might want to steer clear of it.Times \u2013 Take a good look at both the gate AND office hours. Gate hours are the hours you can access your unit, while office hours are when you can speak to a representative. Hopefully, you\u2019ll never have any issues, but if you do need to speak to someone, you can only do so during office hours. As well, make sure the gate hours work for you. If you can only access your units during the weekdays, it\u2019s probably not worth it for you, as you probably will want to move your stuff out on the weekend. Reviews & Ratings BreakdownStorage FacilityGoogle\/Yelp Rating# of ReviewsOverall FeedbackManhattan Self Storage4.6 \u2b50120Clean units, responsive staffBrooklyn Secure Storage4.2 \u2b5085Good security, some access issuesQueens Storage Hub3.9 \u2b5060Affordable, but occasional cleanliness issuesBronx Storage Center4.0 \u2b5045Friendly staff, limited access hours Visit Each LocationOnce you\u2019ve narrowed down your choices to a couple, take the time to visit each facility. Yes, it\u2019s time-consuming, but seeing a place in person can help solidify your decision to go with one place or another. As well, when visiting, don\u2019t feel pressured to rent out a unit on the spot. You want to carefully consider each location before you make a decision.Check out a unit \u2013 By this point, you already know what size unit you want, so ask if you can actually see either the unit you would get or a similarly sized one on the same floor. Sure, you might have blocked out a space in your apartment, but actually seeing the space can help you decide if you need a bigger or smaller option. As well, keep an eye out for any issues such as dirty units, bugs, etc.Ask about payment policy \u2013 What happens when you miss a payment? When is the actual rent due? What is the grace period for payment? Depending on the place, they could start auctioning off your belongings if you\u2019re a couple of days late for payment, in addition to charging you for late fees. Again, if you\u2019re just storing your belongings for a few weeks before you can move into your new place, you might not have to worry about this, but it\u2019s always a good idea to know what you\u2019re getting into just in case something happens.Check out the facility \u2013 Make sure there\u2019s a loading dock, freight elevator, etc., to ensure smooth off and onloading.Ask about discounts\/promotions \u2013 Most places won\u2019t offer a discount or promotion for short-term rentals, but there\u2019s no harm in asking! Popular NYC Storage LocationsNeighborhoodAverage Monthly Cost (10×10 Unit)Safety RatingDistance from ManhattanBrooklyn \u2013 Williamsburg$250\u2013$300High~3 milesQueens \u2013 Long Island City$220\u2013$270Medium-High~4 milesBronx \u2013 Mott Haven$180\u2013$230Medium~5 milesManhattan \u2013 Upper East Side$300\u2013$400HighCentral ManhattanBrooklyn \u2013 Bushwick$200\u2013$260Medium~5 miles After you\u2019ve seen all the units, get contracts from each of them and read the fine print. Many property managers will try some high-pressure techniques to get you to sign on the spot, but do your best to avoid falling prey to them. It\u2019s better to review contracts at home, as you can compare the legal terms between each of the places to see what rights you have in terms of insurance (if any) and access to your unit by property management. Once you\u2019ve read over the terms, call up the facility that works the best for you and reserve your unit.With luck, you\u2019ll be able to find a perfect space for you and your belongings."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"3 Tips on Finding the Right Storage Facility","item":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/finding-the-right-storage-facility\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]