Student Storage

Student Storage Guide:
Penn & Drexel
Move-Out Checklist

May 2026 8 min read Self Service Storage Philadelphia

You're one mile from the closest storage facility to Penn and Drexel. This guide covers everything you need to know about student storage in Philadelphia -- what to keep, what to ditch, how to pack efficiently, and how to get a unit the same day you need it.

Why Philadelphia Students Need Storage

Philadelphia apartments and dorms are small. The average Drexel dorm room is under 180 square feet. Penn's Hill House single is about the same. When the academic year ends and you need to vacate, you have a few options: pay to ship everything home, leave it with a friend who has more space, or store it locally until the fall.

Shipping furniture home is expensive and often not worth it. Leaving things with friends means your stuff ends up in corners and closets where it gets lost or damaged. Local storage is usually the right call -- and at 2000 Hamilton Street, we're close enough to walk or bike from both campuses.

How Close Are We?

Self Service Storage Philadelphia is approximately 1 mile from Penn's main campus and 0.9 miles from Drexel University. About a 15-20 minute walk, or a 5-minute rideshare.

What to Store and What to Ditch

The biggest mistake students make is storing things they'll never actually use again. Move-out is a good time to be ruthless. Here's a practical framework:

Store it

  • Furniture you bought and plan to use next year -- desk, chair, bookshelf, bed frame
  • Seasonal clothing you won't need over summer
  • Electronics you won't take home -- monitors, printers, speakers
  • Kitchen items -- dishes, pots, small appliances
  • Textbooks you might still need (store them, don't toss them yet)
  • Bikes -- a 5x10 unit fits most bikes with room to spare
  • Sports equipment -- skis, snowboards, camping gear

Leave behind or donate

  • Clothes you haven't worn in a year -- donate to one of the Philly thrift stores on South Street
  • Half-used pantry items -- offer to neighbors first
  • Furniture that's genuinely not worth keeping
  • Textbooks from completed courses with no resale value
Don't Store These

Perishable food, liquids that can leak, illegal items, and anything flammable. Also -- if you're storing electronics, remove batteries before storing to prevent corrosion.

What Size Unit Do You Need?

This is the question we get most often. Here's a honest breakdown based on what students actually store:

5×5
From $103/mo including tax
A few large boxes, bags of clothes, small appliances, a mini-fridge. Good for students who are flying home and just need a small overflow space.
Most Popular for Students
5×10
From $148/mo including tax
Full dorm room or studio contents. Fits a desk, chair, boxes, clothes, a bike, and small furniture. This is the right unit for most students.
10×10
From $211/mo including tax
Full one-bedroom apartment. If you're moving out of an off-campus apartment with a full set of furniture, this is the size you want.
5×10 CC
From $199/mo including tax
Climate controlled. If you're storing electronics, musical instruments, or anything sensitive to heat and humidity, upgrade to climate control.

Not sure? Call us at (215) 569-0732 and describe what you're storing. We'll tell you the right size. Getting a unit that's too small is a common and frustrating mistake.

How to Pack Efficiently

Packing a storage unit well means fitting more in a smaller space and making it easier to retrieve what you need. A few principles:

  • Disassemble furniture. Bed frames, desks, and bookshelves take up far less space flat. Keep hardware in labeled zip-lock bags taped to the piece.
  • Use uniform boxes where possible. They stack more reliably than mixed sizes. We sell boxes on-site.
  • Heavy items on the bottom, light on top. Obvious but often ignored under move-out stress.
  • Leave an aisle. If you store a 5x10, leave a two-foot aisle down the center so you can reach the back without unpacking everything.
  • Wrap screens and mirrors. Bubble wrap or moving blankets. We sell both on-site.
  • Label everything on the side, not the top. When boxes are stacked, you'll see the side labels without moving anything.

The Move-Out Checklist

Use this in the days before your move-out deadline:

  • Reserve your storage unit (do this first -- don't wait until move-out day)
  • Get moving supplies -- boxes, tape, bubble wrap, markers
  • Sort: store vs. donate vs. trash -- be ruthless
  • Disassemble large furniture, bag and label hardware
  • Pack boxes, label all sides clearly
  • Remove batteries from electronics before storing
  • Arrange transport -- we're accessible by foot, bike, car, or rideshare
  • Take photos of valuables before storing for your records
  • Get your unit lock on move-in day (we sell them on-site)
  • Document your dorm/apartment condition before you hand in keys

How to Reserve a Unit

The easiest way is to reserve online -- pick your size, choose your move-in date, and submit. No credit card required to hold the unit. If you need to move in same-day, call us at (215) 569-0732 and we'll confirm what's available.

We're open Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Sunday 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Move-out week is busy -- reserving a few days ahead guarantees your preferred size.

Access After Hours

Need to get to your unit outside office hours? Ask about after-hours access when you move in. We can discuss options for regular access needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Self Service Storage from Penn and Drexel?
Self Service Storage Philadelphia at 2000 Hamilton Street is approximately one mile from both the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University campuses. It's an easy walk, bike ride, or short rideshare from both schools -- no car required.
Do you offer month-to-month student storage?
Yes. All our units are month-to-month with no long-term lease required. This makes us ideal for students who need summer storage or short-term storage between semesters. You pay only for the months you use.
What size storage unit do I need as a college student?
Most students do well with a 5x10 unit. It comfortably fits the contents of a full dorm room or studio apartment including a desk, chair, bike, boxes of clothes, and small appliances. If you're storing just a few boxes and bags, a 5x5 will do. For a full off-campus apartment, consider a 10x10.
Can I reserve a unit online before move-out day?
Yes. Reserve online at any time -- no credit card required to hold your unit. Choose your size, pick your move-in date, and submit. We'll confirm by phone or email. Same-day reservations are also available by calling (215) 569-0732 during business hours.
Do I need a car to access my storage unit?
No. Our facility at 2000 Hamilton Street is accessible by foot, bike, or rideshare from both Penn and Drexel. We also sell moving supplies on-site including boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and locks.
Do I need climate control for student storage?
For most students storing furniture, clothing, and general belongings over summer -- no. Standard storage lockers are fine. If you're storing electronics, musical instruments, vinyl records, artwork, or anything sensitive to heat and humidity, upgrade to climate control. Philadelphia summers can reach 95+ degrees, which matters for sensitive items.

Ready to Reserve?

Free to hold. No credit card. Same-day availability most days.

Reserve a Unit Now