Storage in Atlanta: How to Find the Right Space for Your Stuff

Whether you’re downsizing in Buckhead, moving between apartments in Midtown, running a small business in Westside, or just need extra space while you renovate in Decatur, storage in Atlanta is a common need. The city’s mix of urban condos, historic homes, and growing businesses means there are many options—but also a few Atlanta-specific things to watch for.

This guide walks you through how storage works in Atlanta, what it typically costs, which neighborhoods offer what, and how to choose the right type of storage for your situation.

Types of Storage Options in Atlanta

1. Self-Storage Facilities

Self-storage is the most common option in Atlanta. These are the facilities you see along I-75/85, I-285, and major commercial corridors like Ponce de Leon Ave, Peachtree Rd, and Memorial Dr.

Typical features:

• Individual units in various sizes (from small lockers to garage-sized spaces)
• Month-to-month leases
• Drive-up units (more common outside the core, like in Doraville, Mableton, or Forest Park)
• Indoor, climate-controlled units (more common in-city, like Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, and West Midtown)

This option works well if you:

• Are moving between apartments or houses in Atlanta
• Need to store furniture, boxes, or seasonal items
• Want ongoing access to your belongings

2. Climate-Controlled Storage (Very Important in Atlanta)

Because Atlanta is hot and humid for much of the year, climate-controlled storage is especially important. Many in-town facilities offer it by default.

Climate control helps protect:

• Electronics and appliances
• Wood furniture (from warping or cracking)
• Artwork and photographs
• Important documents
• Musical instruments

If you’re storing items long-term or through an Atlanta summer, climate control is often worth the extra cost, especially inside the Perimeter (ITP) where modern buildings make this widely available.

3. Vehicle, Boat, and RV Storage

With limited driveway and street parking in many Atlanta neighborhoods—especially Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, Midtown, and Grant Park—people often look for off-site storage for:

• Cars and trucks
• Boats and jet skis (often coming from Lake Lanier or Lake Allatoona trips)
• RVs and trailers

These spaces are typically found:

• Along the Perimeter (I-285)
• In more industrial or commercial corridors (such as parts of Fulton Industrial Blvd, South Fulton, Chamblee, or Norcross)

Expect a mix of outdoor, covered, and indoor spaces. If you’re storing a vehicle long-term, look for:

• Secure, gated access
• Cameras and lighting
• Clear rules about battery maintenance, gas levels, and access hours

4. Business and Commercial Storage

Atlanta has a large community of small businesses, startups, and contractors who use storage to bridge the gap between home and office or workshop space.

Common uses:

• Extra inventory for retailers on corridors like Edgewood Ave, Peachtree St, or inside Ponce City Market
• Equipment and tools for trades and contractors based around Westside, Doraville, or South Fulton
• Files and records for professionals who don’t need a full office suite

Many self-storage facilities around Atlanta cater to businesses with:

• Package receiving
• Loading docks
• Wide driveways for trucks and vans

What Storage Typically Costs in Atlanta

Prices change over time and vary by neighborhood, but there are consistent patterns across the metro area.

Location Matters

• Inside the Perimeter (ITP) – Areas like Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Downtown, West Midtown, Brookhaven, and Grant Park tend to be more expensive but offer:

  • More climate-controlled units
  • More multi-story indoor facilities
  • Shorter travel distance if you live in-town

• Outside the Perimeter (OTP) – Areas like Smyrna, Marietta, Decatur, Tucker, College Park, and Duluth often offer:

  • Larger units for the price
  • More drive-up storage
  • Better options for RV and boat storage

Typical Price Drivers

Prices usually depend on:

• Unit size (5x5 vs. 10x20, etc.)
• Climate-controlled vs. non-climate
• Ground floor vs. upper floor
• Demand in that neighborhood (busy, dense areas generally cost more)

Many Atlanta residents find that a slightly longer drive to an outer neighborhood can significantly reduce price, especially for larger storage needs.

Popular Atlanta Neighborhoods and Storage Patterns

Here’s a simplified look at how storage tends to differ across parts of metro Atlanta:

Choosing the Right Unit Size

Storage needs vary widely, but Atlanta renters and homeowners often look for these common sizes:

• 5x5 or 5x10 – Good for:

  • Students at Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Emory, or Spelman/Morehouse/Clark Atlanta between semesters
  • A few boxes, small furniture, seasonal decor

• 10x10 – Fits roughly a one-bedroom apartment, including:

  • A bed, dresser, sofa, small dining set, and boxes

• 10x15 or 10x20 – More suitable for:

  • A two- or three-bedroom home
  • Bulky furniture, appliances, or business inventory

If you’re in one of Atlanta’s smaller in-town condos or apartments, err on the side of slightly larger than you think; tight elevators and stairwells can change what you ultimately keep.

Climate, Pests, and Local Considerations

Heat and Humidity

Atlanta summers regularly bring high heat and humidity, which can:

• Swell wooden furniture
• Damage books, photos, and documents
• Affect electronics and musical instruments

For long-term storage, climate-controlled units are especially common in Atlanta’s core neighborhoods for this reason.

Pests and Moisture

In the Southeast, pest control and moisture protection are ongoing concerns. When touring a facility, Atlanta residents often look for:

• Clean, well-maintained hallways and grounds
• No visible signs of pests or water damage
• Regular pest control (you can ask management directly)
• Concrete or paved driveways, not just gravel

Storing near wooded areas or creeks—fairly common around Decatur, Tucker, Smyrna, and South Cobb—may call for extra care with plastic bins, sealed containers, and shelving.

Security Features to Look For in Atlanta

Storage facilities across metro Atlanta vary in their security setup. Since some locations are in busy commercial corridors or near major highways, it’s reasonable to pay attention to:

• Gated access with keypad entry
• Surveillance cameras covering entry points and hallways
• Good lighting at night
• On-site management during business hours
• Individual unit locks, ideally with disc or cylinder locks

When you tour, visit after dark or in the evening if you expect to access your unit at those times. Many residents in areas like West Midtown, Downtown, and South Atlanta appreciate seeing how the property feels when it’s less busy.

Short-Term vs. Long-Term Storage in Atlanta

Common Short-Term Uses

• Between leases (very common around major moving months and school terms)
• Home renovations in areas with older homes, such as Grant Park, Kirkwood, East Lake, or West End
• Temporary relocation for work or medical care

For short-term use, Atlanta renters often prioritize:

• Month-to-month flexibility
• Prorated move-in or move-out when possible
• Easy, frequent access during busy moving days

Long-Term Storage

If you’re planning to keep a unit for many months or years:

• Ask about annual rate increases
• Look for stable, well-established facilities
• Consider access convenience from your home or office, not just price

Many people in Atlanta’s intown neighborhoods choose a smaller, closer unit for frequently accessed items and a larger, cheaper OTP unit for long-term, rarely accessed storage.

Student Storage in Atlanta

Atlanta has a large student population across several campuses:

• Georgia Tech (Midtown)
• Georgia State University (Downtown)
• Emory University (Druid Hills)
• Atlanta University Center schools: Spelman, Morehouse, Clark Atlanta (West End)
• Various technical and community colleges across the metro

Common student storage needs include:

• Summer storage between leases or dorm assignments
• Shared units with roommates
• Smaller units close to campus for easy access

Because student-heavy areas like Midtown, Downtown, and West End can get busy around semester transitions, it helps to:

• Reserve early before finals week
• Share a larger unit with trusted roommates
• Label boxes clearly and avoid storing valuables you might need unexpectedly

Using Storage During a Move in Atlanta

Moving in Atlanta often involves navigating:

• Tight condo elevators
• Narrow, tree-lined streets in older neighborhoods
• Traffic on I-75/85, I-20, and I-285, especially on weekends

A storage unit can make this process smoother if you:

1. Stage your move

   • Move non-essential items into storage ahead of time
   • Keep frequently used items with you or at the front of the unit

2. Plan access around traffic

   • Aim for weekday mornings or mid-day when possible
   • Avoid peak rush hours on major interstates

3. Coordinate with movers

   • If using professional movers, confirm they can access and load/unload at your chosen facility, especially if it’s a multi-story, indoor location with limited loading docks

Where to Ask Questions or Get Help Locally

While storage facilities are usually private businesses, there are a few local, official resources that can sometimes help if you have concerns about safety, zoning, or consumer rights:

• City of Atlanta Department of City Planning

  • For questions about zoning and allowed uses of certain properties
  • 55 Trinity Ave SW, Suite 3350, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Phone: 404-330-6070

• Office of the Attorney General – Consumer Protection Division (State of Georgia)

  • For general consumer concerns about unfair business practices or contracts
  • 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr SE, Suite 356, Atlanta, GA 30334
  • Consumer protection phone (main line, often published): 404-651-8600

• Atlanta Police Department – Non-Emergency Line

  • If you experience or witness a crime at or near a storage facility
  • Non-emergency: 404-658-6666
  • Emergency: 911

These aren’t storage providers, but they are official points of contact if you ever have serious concerns related to a facility’s operations or safety.

Practical Tips for Using Storage in Atlanta

A few Atlanta-specific tips can make storage smoother and safer:

• Choose climate control for most in-town storage, especially for long-term needs.
• Avoid peak traffic windows on major interstates when moving items.
• Use plastic bins instead of cardboard if your unit is in a location with higher moisture or near wooded areas.
• Elevate items off the floor using pallets or shelving to protect against minor water intrusion.
• Label boxes clearly—especially if you’re using a less-accessible facility farther from home.
• Photograph high-value items before storing and keep records for insurance, especially for electronics, instruments, or business inventory.

By focusing on location, climate control, security, and realistic access needs, you can find storage in Atlanta that fits your budget and lifestyle—whether you’re an in-town apartment renter, a suburban homeowner, a student, or a small business owner.