Changing city, whether for work, study or personal reasons, can be an exciting experience but also logistically challenging. One of the main difficulties concerns managing your personal belongings: furniture, appliances, clothing, books, and mementos.
Bringing everything with you to a new destination, often for a limited period, is not always practical or convenient. And that’s where Self storage comes in: a practical and secure solution to store your belongings during a temporary move.
In this article, you’ll see how self storage works, its advantages for those relocating temporarily from one city to another, and how to best organize the storage of your personal items.
When moving immediately isn’t worth it
In many cases, moving to a new city is for a set amount of time:
- six months working at another company branch,
- university or a master’s course,
- a temporary replacement,
- a period of training.
In these situations, transporting all your belongings can be inefficient and expensive.
Plus, finding a permanent home right away isn’t always possible: you might start off in temporary accommodation (a residence, a shared apartment, or a rented room) where there’s simply no space for all your things.
The result? You’ll be forced to make tough choices about what to keep and what to leave behind.
Self storage: what it is and how it works
Self storage (or temporary storage) is a service that lets you rent a space, of various sizes, to store items, furniture, equipment, or files. These are secure boxes, accessible independently, available for short or long periods. It’s like an extension of your own home, but outside your home.
In Switzerland, the service is growing rapidly thanks to its flexibility and the convenience it offers both individuals and professionals. Especially in cities with high mobility, like Lugano and Basel, self storage has become a valuable ally. One of the first providers to bring this service to Switzerland from America— and by far the most established among competitors — is Casaforte Self storage, “the Hotel of Things”. Today, Casaforte has more than 6 centers throughout Switzerland.
The benefits of self storage during a temporary move
1. Keep your belongings safe
Self storage units are equipped with surveillance systems, controlled access, alarms, and dry environments. It’s the ideal place to store furniture, appliances, important documents, sports equipment or personal items while you’re away.
2. Save on moving costs
Moving everything to a new city for a limited time means high transportation, packing and logistics costs. With temporary storage, you can travel with just the essentials, saving both time and money.
3. Total flexibility
You can rent a space for just one month, or keep it longer if your move is extended. Plus, you can easily switch units if you need more or less space. With companies like Casaforte, switching units is always possible and quick.
4. Free up space at home (or in your new apartment)
If your new accommodation is small or already furnished, you can keep your things in storage without giving them up. They’ll come in handy when you find your permanent place or move back to your hometown.
5. Convenient access
Units are accessible 7 days a week, often with extended hours, and you don’t need to book your access. You can pick up or leave items whenever you need, with total independence and convenience.
What to store in self storage during a move
- Furniture: beds, wardrobes, tables, chairs, shelves
- Appliances: refrigerators, microwaves, small appliances
- Personal documents and files
- Clothing and linens (especially if seasonal or not needed straight away)
- Books, paintings, personal mementos
- Bikes, sports or camping gear
A real-life example: Davide and his move to Basel
Davide P., originally from Bellinzona and a recent graduate from the University of Lugano, received a nine-month fixed-term job offer in Basel. The apartment he rented in the German-speaking city was furnished, and there was no space for his own furniture and boxes. Plus, keeping the apartment in Bellinzona would’ve been too expensive. So he decided to entrust his belongings to a self storage close to home, choosing the most convenient one among the two Casaforte centers in Bellinzona: he packed everything carefully, stored his largest furniture and some personal belongings, and moved with just the essentials. At the end of his employment contract, he returned and found everything in perfect condition, ready to put his home back together.
How to best organize your temporary storage
- Choose the right box size: there’s no need to rent massive spaces. Start with an estimate of what you need to store.
- Disassemble large furniture to save space and make transport easier.
- Label everything: each box should indicate what it contains and which room it came from.
- Use shelves to make the most of the height and keep everything tidy.
- Create a small inventory: this way, you’ll always know what you’ve stored and where to find it.
Whether you’re moving for study, work, or other temporary needs, self storage is the ideal solution to keep your belongings, avoid excessive costs, and embrace this change more smoothly. It’s a flexible, secure, and smart option for facing a move with complete peace of mind, without having to decide every time what to take or leave behind.