In 2015, Des Moines was ranked third on a list by SmartAsset of best cities for grads to get started in, and in 2014 it took the top spot on a Forbes list of best cities for young professionals. Thanks to a massive influx of careers in insurance and publishing plus a low cost of living, Des Moines is an ideal community-and job market-to dive into. If you’re relocating to Des Moines for college, small dorms and student apartments are sure to create space issues for you after living with your parents. We understand that storage might be a bit of a foreign concept to you, but we’re here to help you figure out how it can work for you in Des Moines.
How it Works
Before you start searching for a
storage unit in Des Moines, you’re going to need to figure out how much space you’ll be needing. Found out how big your dorm room or apartment is along with features like closet space, whether or not dressers are provided and whether or not campus housing allows bed lofting (this will let you store a lot more stuff underneath your bed and is a solid reason to opt against taking the top bunk in a bunk bed situation). If you’re only planning on bringing basic items like seasonal clothing, sports equipment and a few other odds and ends, you’ll probably want a 5x5 unit. If you’re bringing a lot of furniture or a celebrity closet sized clothing collection, you’ll want to size up, but probably not by much. Because Des Moines is easy to get around and offers great public transportation, you don’t need to look for storage within walking distance of your school, but if this is important to you, be sure to speak with a facility manager about what you need to do to lock down a spot early, as units will fill up before summer and winter break. Once you’ve picked the right size and the right facility, you’ll sign a lease. These are typically quite flexible and run month-to-month. Most facilities also allow you to share a space with a friend which will cut down costs big time. Last but not least, look for student specials. Many facilities post flyers about deals in the spring that allow you to pay a low rate up front for the whole summer, that way you don’t have to worry about paying a bill every month while you’re on vacation.
Summer Storage
Ah, yes, that brings us to summer storage. This is the most popular season for student renters. We’ve already covered how demand for storage affects availability, but let’s talk about something that you might not think of if you’re new to storage. That’s
climate control. Des Moines experiences some of the worst weather conditions for storage users. Summers are hot and winters are cold. In addition to this, the city sees 35 inches of snow and 36 inches of rain annually. In the summer, you should protect vulnerable items in storage like electronics (that big TV you’re storing) and antique furniture (that one of a kind armchair you found thrifting) against heat and humidity by opting for climate controlled storage. There are
11 StorageMart facilities that offer climate control in Des Moines, so if the first one you call doesn’t have availability, see if the facility manager can refer you to a property that does have the unit you’re looking for.
Students and Security
Maybe it’s the midwestern charm, but Des Moines has a very low crime rate. However, this doesn’t mean that you should throw caution to the wind when it comes to thinking about
security. Try to choose a facility in an area that you feel comfortable going to, as security at a storage facility should be about your safety in addition to the safety of your belongings. A property at which staff walks the grounds on a regular basis will add to this feeling of safety. You should also look for a storage facility that’s fenced in, well-lit and only accessible to tenants and staff. Other great features include security cameras, actual security officers and individual alarms on units.
