Why is the self storage industry growing so rapidly? Twenty five years ago would anyone consider paying out good hard earned money to a self storage facility to store household furnishings or boxes of Christmas decorations? Why not put those items in the care of family members or sell them or even give them away rather than pay to rent self storage? Indeed, why own such an excess of things at all that self storage would be necessary?

Yes, our society has changed very much in the past quarter century. We are no longer people who sit still. We are no longer content to follow the rules of accumulation that our grandparents followed. Our grandparents sat still. Often they lived an entire life within a few miles of their hometown community. Family was all around and willing to share available space with someone in possession of an extra piece of furniture or if a family member or neighbor suddenly found themselves in a bind for space. Visiting relatives would be offered a private bedroom space for as long as needed. If there were boxes or out of season items stored in that guest room a friend, family member or neighbor could always find a bit of space to help out. Friends, family members and neighbors would perhaps even be offended if instead of asking for that small favor the one in need would pay out money for a self storage unit. This, of course, assumes that in small town America there would even have been a self storage facility available.

The rule of accumulation twenty five years ago was simply stated, If you have not used it in the last 6 months, sell it, give it away or otherwise dispose of it. It was considered clutter and not useful if it was not used at least 2 times per year. There was one television in the house that was shared by the whole family. That television would be in service until it could no longer be repaired and only then would it be replaced.  Only the very wealthy considered having more than one TV. Things were not purchased just to have them. Most people had only the clothing needed for that season and shopping was not a recreational activity but an act of necessity.  Everything was used up and worn out.  Self storage would have been an extravagance.

We are now more mobile and more acquisitive. Our disposable income and the proliferation of  cheaply manufactured goods and electronics have made it possible for the average worker to afford more than one television, recording device, and computer, as well as collections of recorded movies, music CDs, books, and seasonal decorations. Unless the consumer is able to afford plentiful floor space self storage would enable the person to own more things even living in a community far from friends and family who could help out with some extra space.

In our present decade many members of the military are making use of self storage to have a safe place for belongings while on deployments. Everything from furniture and clothing to an automobile or motorcycle can be securely placed in self storage for the duration of the deployment. Many self storage facilities offer discounts for active duty military personnel and offer pre payment arrangements so the service member does not have to worry about the payments for self storage while doing other more important tasks.

College students use self storage for the furnishings of dorm rooms or apartments that they do not wish to crate and cart over the summer semester break. Self storage has become an important industry in college towns. Entire self storage facilities sell out before summer vacation.

A new market for self storage is those who need to downsize due to the rapidly changing economy. For those who were able to get mortgage loans with adjustable rate interest and bought large homes. The wave of foreclosures has been a devastating blow but has added to the need for self storage. Many families are being forced back into smaller rental properties or even moving in with family members. For the time being they are reluctant to part with the possessions that filled the larger home. Perhaps they are placing this treasure in self storage in hopes of regaining the space they have lost. They are not ready to part with these things and willing to pay for self storage.

Self storage facility services can only grow in the years ahead.

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