You might say that Tucson is synonymous with the University of Arizona, but despite the huge presence of crazy Wildcat fans (and Sun Devils haters), there are actually a few other smaller, private college offerings available. Whether they’re attending a big school or opting for something a little more intimate, there’s one thing all students in Tucson have in common: They rarely have enough space for all their stuff. When you’re living in a fun, friendly desert community that’s equal parts outdoor adventure opportunity and urban shopping, restaurants and nightlife, it’s important to be prepared for anything. Why leave most of your stuff at home when you can rent a storage unit and have everything? While you think about that, here’s some advice on university storage in Tucson.
Storage on a Student Budget
The cost of living in Tucson is well below the national average. This means that you can save money by opting out of notoriously overpriced student housing and get an apartment for as low as $600 a month (factor in roommates and it’s soooo cheap). At
The University of Arizona, a mere 6,600 students out of 32,987 live on campus, proving that it’s worthwhile to consider saving yourself some money by ditching the dorm experience after freshman year. If you know you won’t be spending all four years in the dorms, rent a storage unit during that brief period of time during which you’ll actually be living in campus housing. It’s a great way to have all of your extra clothing, housewares and furniture in Tucson so that you don’t have to go far to get it when the time comes to move into an apartment or house. If you’re attending a school like
The Art Institute of Tucson, you won’t have an easy time getting into a dorm as housing is only available on a very limited basis. If this is the experience you want (despite the price, it is a great way to make friends), you can always rent an apartment while you wait for a spot and utilize storage on either end of this process. Whatever way you decide to go, storage in Tucson, like housing, is very affordable. You can get a 5x5 unit (it’s the size of a large closet) at a facility like
7A Budget Mini Storage for around $62.00 a month. Want to make that rate look even better? Look for specials, college discounts or go in on a storage unit with a friend. While we think that $62.00 sounds like a pretty good rate, $31.00 sounds even better.
Summer Storage and Monsoon Season
When you think summer in Tucson, the first thing that comes to mind is probably heat. If you’re leaving town for the summer in between college semesters, there’s actually something much bigger to worry about than the effect that heat can have on your electronics (though you should
think about that too). We’re talking about
monsoon season. We’ll explain it this way: When it rains, it pours. In Tucson, this lasts from about mid-June through the end of September. In other words, almost the entire time you’re away from campus. If you’re flying home for the summer or even just studying abroad for a month, you can’t leave the items in your storage unit vulnerable to the effects of heavy rain and flash floods. If water can enter your storage unit, it can do significant damage to your belongings. Often, flash floods contain other stuff besides water such as sewage and containments. Don’t let your storage unit become a disaster zone. You can eliminate this problem by choosing a facility that offers indoor storage. If this isn’t within your price range or you just prefer the convenience of drive up access, invest in some milk crates or something sturdy and non-porous that you can stack your belongings on top of, that way if water seeps under your unit, all of those books, clothes and projects from the semester won’t get soaked.
Students and Security
It’s great that you feel safe on campus, but if you wander too far in the wrong direction, your sense of security can be totally compromised. The same goes for your items in storage. Try to store them close to the university in a facility that makes you feel comfortable. One great option is
US Storage Centers. They have a facility right on 1st Avenue and they have managers who live on site, which is definitely a sign of great
security. Other things to look for include key coded access, fences to keep intruders out, security cameras and good lighting, so that if you have to visit your unit at night, you don’t have to deal with the creepy sense that someone nearby is prowling in the shadows. Look for a facility that makes you feel safe and we’re sure the items in your storage unit will feel safe too.
