Experience with self-storage options (near Blue Bell, PA)? (Norristown, Plymouth: fit in, apartment)

[DecisionsDecisions]

Hi... We are moving from a house to an apartment for 4 months (and then to a house again 4 months after).

Our apartment won't be big enough for our house belongings, so we are investigating self-storage for the stuff that won't fit in our apartment (but that we will want to eventually ship to our new home). [We'll be donating/selling as much as possible, but will still have too much leftover for the apartment.]

We could even just store everything and rent furniture for the apartment (though I bet cost would be prohibitive).

I will need to use movers to actually move the stuff (can't do heavy lifting ourselves) between wherever and wherever.

• Has anyone had good experiences with self-storage options within a 20-mile radius (or so) of Blue Bell, PA? I don't know the first thing about these places, so I'd prefer to have references (or know where to find them).
• What questions should I ask self-storage places?
• Are there major differences between the traditional storage and mobile storage options? (I have been reading in other threads about things like "PODs" but maybe they wouldn't be applicable here since I can't do the heavy lifting)

HUGE thanks to anyone who can give guidance. I'm struggling with what's most cost-effective while still being "effective".

[PeterRabbit]

I imagine you'll rent a spot that is weatherized - cooler in summer not so cold in winter. Condensation alone or coupled with all the dust in those places could ruin some of your (upholstered) furniture so ask if they cover any damages. If someone steals your stuff are you covered or at least will they pay the deductible on your own insurance? What is the limits of their liability?

I found two strong-backed guys on craigslist that did my heavy work for $25 an hour and I paid for the Hertz rental truck to transfer stuff to storage. When the movers came everything left went to the apt. Saved time and money that way. If you have the movers do everything you'll have to supervise or else something you want in your apt. or vice versa, could end up in the back of the truck blocked by things that would take extra time to move out, unload that item, move the stuff back onto the truck.

[Ohiogirl81]

We used United Stor-All on Alan Wood Road in Plymouth Township, across from IKEA. It was climate-controlled and easy to get in and out of. Not too close to Blue Bell, but not too far away.

There's a place called Storage Deluxe on Markley Street in Norristown. I don't know anything about it, though.

Good luck!

[DecisionsDecisions]

Originally Posted by PeterRabbit

I imagine you'll rent a spot that is weatherized - cooler in summer not so cold in winter. Condensation alone or coupled with all the dust in those places could ruin some of your (upholstered) furniture so ask if they cover any damages. If someone steals your stuff are you covered or at least will they pay the deductible on your own insurance? What is the limits of their liability?

I found two strong-backed guys on craigslist that did my heavy work for $25 an hour and I paid for the Hertz rental truck to transfer stuff to storage. When the movers came everything left went to the apt. Saved time and money that way. If you have the movers do everything you'll have to supervise or else something you want in your apt. or vice versa, could end up in the back of the truck blocked by things that would take extra time to move out, unload that item, move the stuff back onto the truck.

Thanks for the feedback!

Yes, that's a good point - we will definitely need climate control... we have several antiques, electronics, clothes, etc. I would not want to trust ambient storage.

Good point. If I hire the same guys to do it all, I maybe can "label" everything in the house as clearly as possible to try and simplify how it's loaded.

That's a good question that I'll ask (about damage/theft coverage). I also should check in with my home insurance company about coverage.

Interesting idea about hiring a couple folks just to help with moving to storage. (Not sure I'd trust complete strangers, though.)

[DecisionsDecisions]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl81

We used United Stor-All on Alan Wood Road in Plymouth Township, across from IKEA. It was climate-controlled and easy to get in and out of. Not too close to Blue Bell, but not too far away.

There's a place called Storage Deluxe on Markley Street in Norristown. I don't know anything about it, though.

Good luck!

Thanks for the ideas!

We'd try to make it so we wouldn't need to use it much. Across from IKEA is definitely close enough. Nothing "bad" about your experience with them?

I'll check out both!

[Ohiogirl81]

No, we didn't have any bad vibes or experiences at all. The place was clean and well-tended. Parking and access were good.

There's also a storage place on Chemical Road, closer to Ridge Pike, but from the road it doesn't look climate controlled. I could be wrong, though.