College Storage

For some reason, a college kid's possessions always seem to double over the course of the year. So here are three summer storage options for families with too much dorm stuff to drag home.

Some lucky students attend universities that offer storage space to students far from home–in the dormitory basements at the Puget Sound, for example, or the sorority attics at the University of the Pacific. Be sure to check with your R.A. before leaving campus.

But if you're like most students, you will probably need some kind of storage space to keep all your junk safe until next year. So rent a self-storage unit near campus and do the packing yourself. It’s certainly more work, but the price is significantly lower: $15-$22 in sign up fees and $19-$60 per month for a 5x5 foot locker that will accommodate at least half a dozen large boxes and a bike. Most of these companies take reservations up to 30 days ahead and offer month-to-month leases. Find a suitable one by Googling self-storage and the city you need, or get recommendations from your R.A.

A better option might be to hire a pick up and delivery service, such as College Boxes.com or Dorm 2 Dorm. CollegeBoxes started life as a student run company at Duke University. Now, it serves nearly four dozen universities. It ships you starter pack of five boxes and assorted supplies, then picks up the packed boxes, bicycles, TVs and whatever else you need stored on a designated day at the end of finals week. In the fall, it delivers everything to your dorm. It's convenient and fast, but pricey. In 2009, the rates were $30 for the packing supply kit, then $45 for storing and transporting each 4-cubic ft. box for the summer. Other rates apply for larger objects, mini-fridges, bicycles or televisions.