Why rent a storage unit somewhere offsite when you can own a storage container and keep it on your property?
If you’re looking for a short term place to store your valuable posessions with minimal investment, an off-site storage location is a good idea. They’ll give you 24 hour protection and access (within reasonable hours) to your stuff. These places are all over Los Angeles and San Diego, and you can see them lining up and down the highway.
However, if you’re going to be keeping your things there more than nine months, the cost/benefit starts to shift from “makes sense” to “this is getting expensive”. If you think you’ll fall into the latter scenario, you may want to check out buying a used shipping container.
Upfront Storage Costs vs Long Term Smaller Costs
If you’re able to swallow the upfront cost, there’s really no additional charge for owing a shipping container. It’s not property, so there’s no property tax; it’s not a car, so there’s no auto tax. Really, all you need to do is have a place to put it and you’re set.
Depending on how much stuff you have to store and the space that you have available to you, a 40′ container almost always makes more financial sense in a “cost per square foot” calculation. However, they require a little extra ground space – and if you’ve got that you’re set. If ground space is limited you’ll want to check out a 20′ shipping container. A 20′ will give you half the enjoyment of a 40′, but all of the security at half the footprint.
Buying a Storage Container in Los Angeles or San Diego
There are several places to find used shipping containers for sale in Southern California. The obvious places to start are eBay.com, Craiglist, and ContainerAuction.com. Note: there are countless other generic lead generating websites that will recycle your information and sell it to potential suppliers, but there’s less security for your personal information.
eBay will probably show you every shipping container that it has for sale in North America, which is good for getting a price idea, but bad for sifting out what’s local and what’s not.
Craigslist usually has an interesting selection of shipping containers. Some are for sale by individuals, and you’ll have to move it yourself (and air out that decomposing animal smell); but you’ll find some really cheap units (both in cost and quality).
ContainerAuction.com is aimed at both the residential and commercial buyers. If you’re a serious buyer looking for a quick transaction, this is the place to go. The pricing is upfront and visible, and the sellers are indistry professionals.
California Shipping Containers 