Relocation is one of those life events that test our ability to cope with stress. That goes for your little ones, too. How they see you handle the moving process will shape the way they see relocation (and change in general) throughout their lives. That’s why it’s best to stay calm, collected, and organized throughout the process. And one of your best allies for a smooth relocation can come in the form of self-storage.
Whether you’re worried about fitting all your belongings into your new home or just need more time for your family to adjust to the new environment, this service will give you the respite you need to figure things out at a reasonable pace. And that’s often exactly what you need when moving with children. Here’s how self-storage can assist during and after the move.
Staying well-organized and comfortable
Let’s start with the obvious: relocation would be a cakewalk if we had all the time in the world to move from one home to another. That’s not the case for most of us, but self-storage can swoop in and give us the extra time we need. For instance, you can hire a moving company to send your stuff ahead of time and place it inside a storage unit. Most facilities are open 24/7, so you can move your things into the new place gradually, and even keep some in storage. Don’t forget that it’s best to set up your kid’s room first, as well. So, even if you just put some of your personal belongings into storage first, it’s a win.
And one thing’s for certain: when your kids’ toys and gadgets overtake the house, you can make a few sacrifices and stow away the things you still want to keep, but not necessarily around the house (be it family heirlooms, old furniture, or seasonal clothing). Plus, self-storage is all the more helpful if you have kids of different ages: the clothes that don’t fit the eldest child can go into storage for when your youngest can wear them.
Finding the perfect storage unit
If you’ve decided to use self-storage for your move, or even for the long term, you might be wondering how to pick the right size. A storage unit size calculator can take the guesswork out of the process, helping you determine the exact type of unit that fits your needs and how much you can store inside. For example, a 10’x10′ unit is ideal for things like outdoor furniture, seasonal clothing, and holiday decorations.
For delicate items like books, furniture, or electronics, a climate-controlled unit is essential to protect against temperature and humidity damage.
As for costs, storage unit prices vary by location. According to self-storage marketplace StorageCafe, the average rent for units of all sizes is around $151 right now, though prices differ by city. In Atlanta, for instance, the average is about $148, while in Seattle, it’s closer to $187. Climate-controlled units tend to be more expensive, so it’s a good idea to compare local listings to find a secure, convenient facility that suits your needs. That way, you can be confident that you’ve chosen the right place to store your family’s belongings.
All in all, self-storage can save you time and energy when moving with your family, while also helping you keep your new home decluttered. This is the ideal scenario when relocating with kids since our young ones can quickly pick up on our feelings. With every extra bit of stress out of the way, we can better focus on making the process easier for them. That way, with each relocation they’ll go through in their adulthood, your children can think back on how well you handled the moving process in the olden days. And that example is a wonderful gift for anyone.
We used a storage unit but it was affected by condensation and a lot of stuff was damaged. Something to look out for.