If you’re planning on living abroad for a while, you’re going to need to figure out what to do with your stuff. Check out this guide to long term storage.
Congratulations on your upcoming adventure. Living abroad is an exciting, challenging pursuit, and it’s certainly worth the investment. You’ve probably got a lot on your plate to prepare yourself for this new season.
You know you’ll have to make extensive travel plans. You also have to have a habitable lodging available when you arrive at your destination. Even still, you also have to consider what you want to do with all the belongings you leave behind.
Living abroad is, in most cases, a temporary situation. Most travelers end up back in their home country or even state. It’d be useful to store belongings.
That’s why you should invest in renting high-quality long-term storage. Trusted storage units will protect all of the possessions you cherish for as long as you rent them. Consider the following five tips on making the most out of your storage unit while you live abroad.
Set Up Prepay, or At Least Autopay
While you’re living abroad, you’re going to have a lot of things on your mind. There will be a lot of important decisions to make as you navigate the ins and outs of your new life.
Hopefully, you have some financial security in order for your travels. Make sure you prepare a budget ahead of time and stick to it.
Know what the living expenses will be like in your new home’s region. You’re likely to have some income lined up before you even get there – hence, the reason for your travel. You’d be smart to nevertheless bring hefty financial savings.
Perhaps you are going to a foreign country with foreign currency. Your finances might get tricky, but just plan for plenty of time to get everything situated. For your possessions left behind, set up a financially secure way to make sure they’re cared for.
If you can swing it, prepay rent for at least a year, if not for the entire time you know you’ll be gone. That will ease your financial worries while you’re out of the country. Not everyone, though, can afford such a down payment.
If that’s you, consider setting up a monthly autopay agreement instead. You’d have to do well to make sure enough funds are available every month for the withdrawal. If you’re careful with your budget, you’ll have no worries about keeping your belongings in long-term storage.
Be Smart and Downsize to Necessities
Different storage unit facilities offer different sizes of units at different costs. Since you know you’re going to be putting most of your belongings in a storage unit, it’s time to downsize. Your goal should be to minimize the size of storage unit you’ll actually need to rent.
For many people, this means starting with a basic garage sale. Remember to only keep your valuable and necessary possessions. You can always replace clothes and cheap furniture.
When it gets closer to the time of your travels abroad, you’ll want to be more thorough about downsizing. By this time, you should know what your living situation is going to look like while you’re gone.
If you own a home, are you going to rent it out while you’re abroad? If you’re a renter, is your lease going to get in the way of your travel time?
Once your trip is close, you’ll need to be serious about downsizing. Empty the fridge of perishables. Get rid of cleaning supplies that will expire.
Ease your peace of mind when you’re abroad by knowing you don’t have too many cares back at home. Get the smallest storage unit you can sensibly use.
Organize and Pack Efficiently
A study by the United Nations states that more people are living abroad than ever. Don’t be among the people who start their travels abroad unprepared. You need to stay organized right from the start if you’re going to live abroad successfully.
Packing can seem like an overwhelming challenge, but be intentional throughout the process. Since you’ve already gone through to downsize your belongings, you should have a pretty good idea of everything you own.
Take the time to categorize the belongings you’re leaving behind. Consider that you want heavier things to stay on the bottom of the storage unit. Start packing items that are similar to another in one sturdy moving box.
If you simplify your belongings into a few boxes and items as possible, you’ll go a long way in simplifying your journey abroad. Think about how easy it will be to start over with your previous belongings if they’re all organized upon your return.
Find the Best Long-Term Storage Unit Facility Available
It’s important to note that not all storage facilities are the same. You’ll have to do some research to find the best facility to suit your specific needs.
For example, do you know whether or not you want a climate-controlled storage unit? Otherwise, you might find a cheaper, less maintained unit. This could work if you aren’t worried about any specific belongings getting damaged due to extreme temperatures.
There should be plenty of affordable long-term storage units available in your local area. Read more to find out how you can find the best bargain for the storage expectations you have. Check out their online reviews, too, for a good idea of whether or not you can trust them with your belongings.
Have Someone You Trust Keep an Eye on Your Belongings
If you have someone you trust and who would be willing, ask for their help. Perhaps you’re even willing to pay them a little.
He or she could check on your belongings a few times a year, just to ensure everything is okay. This is, in particular, useful for those units that are not climate-controlled.
Making the Most Out of Your Time Abroad
You deserve to live your life to its fullest. Making the most out of long-term storage units is only one way you are striving for peace of mind on your upcoming journey. Living abroad is going to be impactful in many ways.
You deserve to stay informed and well-adjusted to your new life. We know how important it is to stay connected in this global society. We encourage you to check out lifestyle articles on our blog to continue to make the most of your life.
