A Student's Guide to Brown University Storage: Your Ultimate Playbook for a Stress-Free Move-Out
Hey there, fellow Brunonians. Let's talk about something that’s probably looming in the back of your mind as finals approach: the great migration. No, not the one on the Discovery Channel. I’m talking about the annual chaos of moving out of your dorm. It’s a time of frantic packing, emotional goodbyes, & the age-old question that has plagued Brown students for generations: "WHAT am I going to do with all my stuff?"
Honestly, it’s a rite of passage. You spend a year accumulating textbooks you swear you'll read again (you won't), a mini-fridge that has seen better days, & a truly impressive collection of hoodies. Now, you have to pack it all up & figure out where it’s going to live for the next three months.
The good news? You’ve got options. The not-so-great news? It can be a little overwhelming to figure out which one is right for you. But don't you worry, I've been there, done that, & have lived to tell the tale. This is your ultimate guide to navigating the world of Brown University storage, from the university-approved vendors to the scrappy DIY methods & everything in between.
The Official Word: What Brown University Says About Storage
First things first, let's get the official stuff out of the way. Brown University, in its infinite wisdom, knows that you can't exactly stuff a semester's worth of belongings into a suitcase. So, while they don't offer on-campus storage themselves, they have done some of the legwork for you.
In a recent communication from Residential Life, the university officially encourages students to use one of two vetted partners: Storage Scholars or Conlon Student Storage. The reason for this recommendation is pretty solid: they’ve worked with these companies, reviewed their safety protocols, & have an agreement that allows them to operate smoothly on campus.
Here’s the key benefit of using these official partners: if you can't be there for the pickup, Residential Life staff can actually escort the movers to your room to retrieve your items. They'll also help coordinate the drop-off of your things before you even arrive back on campus in the fall. This is a HUGE deal, especially for students who have to leave right after their last final or for international students who can’t easily travel back & forth.
What about other companies? You're free to use them, but there are some limitations. Non-partnered movers won't be allowed inside the residence halls, meaning you'll have to meet them at the entrance of your building. ResLife staff also won't be able to provide any assistance, so you're on your own for coordinating the handoff.
And a quick but important note on bikes: Brown is pretty clear that you can't leave your bicycle in the bike rooms or attached to racks over the summer. Any bikes left behind are considered abandoned property. So if you've got wheels, you'll need to find a storage solution for them too.
The Full-Service Players: The Easiest (But Priciest) Option
For many students, the allure of a full-service storage company is just too good to pass up. These are the companies that basically do all the heavy lifting for you. It's the "set it & forget it" approach to student storage, & honestly, after a grueling finals week, it can be a lifesaver.
Here’s how it generally works:
- They send you supplies: Most of these services will ship you a kit with boxes, tape, & sometimes even bubble wrap.
- You pack: You’re still responsible for putting your stuff in the boxes, but that’s about the extent of your manual labor.
- They pick it up from your room: This is the magic part. A team of movers will come directly to your dorm room, haul everything out, & transport it to their storage facility.
- They store it for the summer: Your belongings are kept in a secure, often climate-controlled warehouse.
- They deliver it back to you: When you return for the fall semester, they'll deliver everything to your new dorm or apartment. Some, like Storage Scholars, will even have it waiting in your room for you.
It sounds amazing, right? It is. But that convenience comes at a cost. These services are typically the most expensive option, often charging per item, per month. It's a premium price for a premium service.
Let's take a closer look at some of the big names you'll see around campus:
Storage Scholars
As one of Brown's official partners, Storage Scholars is a popular choice. They have a pretty slick operation, with a 4.7-star rating from over 10,000 reviews. They handle everything from sending you packing supplies to in-room pickup & delivery. They also offer shipping services, which is great if you're graduating or transferring.
- Pros: University-endorsed, in-room pickup & delivery, highly rated, all-inclusive service.
- Cons: Can be pricey, especially if you have a lot of stuff.
Conlon Student Storage
The other official partner, Conlon Student Storage, offers a similar full-service model. They've also been vetted by the university for their safety & security measures. While they might not have the same national brand recognition as Storage Scholars, they are a trusted local option.
- Pros: University-endorsed, in-room pickup assistance, local company.
- Cons: Less online information available compared to larger competitors.
Other Full-Service Options
You'll likely see other companies like Dorm Room Movers and Collegeboxes (a division of U-Haul) advertising their services. They operate on a similar model of by-the-item storage with pickup and delivery. Collegeboxes, for instance, stores your items at a local U-Haul facility in East Providence, just a couple of miles from campus.
A word of caution, though. Reddit threads from Brown students have mentioned mixed reviews for some of these companies, with occasional reports of damaged or lost items. This isn't to say they're all bad, but it's a reminder to do your own research & read reviews before committing.
The DIY Route: For the Brave & Budget-Conscious
Alright, so maybe the full-service price tag is a little steep for your student budget. I get it. That's where the do-it-yourself (DIY) option comes in. This is the classic method: you rent a self-storage unit at a local facility & move your stuff in yourself. It's almost always the cheaper option, but it requires a lot more planning & effort.
The Self-Storage Landscape in Providence
Providence has a number of self-storage facilities to choose from. You'll find big names like U-Haul and Store Space Self Storage, as well as local players. These facilities offer a range of unit sizes, from small 5x5 lockers (about the size of a closet, perfect for a dorm room's worth of stuff) to larger 10x10 or 10x20 units if you're sharing with friends.
Most facilities offer month-to-month leases, which is ideal for summer storage. Many also have climate-controlled units, which is something you should seriously consider. New England summers can be humid, & a climate-controlled unit will protect your electronics, furniture, & books from moisture damage.
The Cost Breakdown
The cost of a self-storage unit in Providence can vary depending on the size, location, & amenities. A small 5x5 unit might run you anywhere from $50 to $100 a month, while a larger, shared unit will be more. U-Haul, for example, often has deals like the first month free, which can be a great way to save some cash.
But remember, the cost of the unit itself is just one piece of the puzzle. You also need to factor in:
- Packing supplies: Boxes, tape, bubble wrap, etc.
- Transportation: This is the big one. If you don't have a car, you'll need to figure out how to get your stuff from your dorm to the storage facility.
The Transportation Hurdle: Getting Your Stuff from A to B
This is where the DIY option can get tricky for many Brown students. Not everyone has a car on campus, & College Hill is, well, a hill. Lugging boxes on foot is not a viable option. Here are a few ways to tackle the transportation problem:
- Rent a U-Haul: If you're over 18 & have a driver's license, you can rent a small van or truck from U-Haul. This is a great option if you're teaming up with friends to share a unit. You can make a day of it, moving everyone's stuff at once.
- Use a ride-sharing service: For a smaller amount of stuff, you might be able to get away with a few trips in an UberXL or LyftXL.
- Hire moving help: Companies like Lugg or local movers offer labor-only services. They can provide the muscle & the truck to move your belongings to your storage unit.
- Befriend someone with a car: Never underestimate the power of friendship (and a case of beer or a nice dinner) to convince a friend with a car to help you out.
The DIY Pros & Cons
- Pros: More affordable, more control over your belongings, you can access your stuff anytime you want.
- Cons: Requires a lot more planning & physical effort, transportation can be a major challenge, you're responsible for the entire moving process.
A New Way to Store: The Peer-to-Peer Solution
Now, what if there was an option that combined the affordability of DIY storage with the convenience of not having to haul your stuff across town? This is where a newer concept, peer-to-peer storage, comes into play. And this is where a company like Prked is changing the game for students.
Here's the thing: Providence is a city full of homes with unused space. Think about all the empty garages, basements, attics, & even closets just sitting there. Prked is a platform that connects people who need storage with homeowners who have that extra space. It's like Airbnb, but for your belongings.
For a Brown student, this can be an INCREDIBLY practical solution. Instead of renting a storage unit at a facility that might be a few miles away, you could find a secure, private garage or basement to rent just a few blocks from campus. Imagine being able to store your things in a neighbor's garage on the East Side for the summer. No need to rent a truck or worry about a long-distance move. You could literally walk your stuff over in a few trips.
This is a pretty cool alternative that a lot of students don't even know exists. It offers a level of convenience & affordability that's hard to beat, especially in a dense, historic neighborhood like College Hill. It's a hyper-local solution that leverages the community around the university. You get a safe, private space for your things, & a local homeowner gets to make a little extra money from their unused space. It's a win-win.
Special Considerations: International Students & Study Abroad
The storage puzzle can be even more complicated for international students or those studying abroad for a semester. You can't just drive your stuff home for the summer. In these cases, planning is EVERYTHING.
Full-service storage companies are often the best bet for international students. The door-to-door service eliminates the need to coordinate transportation or be physically present for pickup & delivery. Companies like Storage Scholars even explicitly mention that they can store items for students who are studying abroad.
If you're studying abroad for a semester that doesn't align perfectly with the summer break, you'll need a storage solution that's flexible with its timing. Most self-storage facilities offer month-to-month leases, which can be a good option. Peer-to-peer storage through Prked could also be a great fit here, as you can often negotiate a more flexible arrangement with a local host.
The Unsung Hero of Storage: Insurance
Okay, let's talk about something that's not very exciting but is incredibly important: insurance. Nobody thinks about it until something goes wrong. And trust me, you don't want to be the person whose laptop gets ruined in a flood or whose bike gets stolen from a storage unit.
Most storage facilities will require you to have some form of insurance. They'll often try to sell you their own policy, but it's worth checking to see if your parents' homeowner's or renter's insurance policy covers your belongings while in storage. Sometimes it does, but there might be limitations.
If you need to buy a separate policy, there are third-party companies like SnapNsure and Surewise that specialize in self-storage insurance. These policies can often be cheaper than what the storage facility offers. U-Haul also offers its own insurance program called Safestor.
When you're using a full-service company, they typically include a base level of insurance coverage in their price, with the option to purchase more. Whatever you do, DON'T skip the insurance. It's a small price to pay for peace of mind. And a pro-tip from a student who learned the hard way: take pictures of your valuable items before you put them in storage. It will make filing a claim so much easier if the worst should happen.
Pro Packing Tips: Your Future Self Will Thank You
No matter which storage option you choose, you're going to have to pack. And how you pack can make a HUGE difference in the condition of your belongings when you unpack them in the fall. Here are some pro-tips from the trenches:
- Declutter first: Be ruthless. Do you really need that stack of free t-shirts from the activities fair? That broken lamp you swear you'll fix? The less you have to store, the easier (and cheaper) it will be.
- Get good boxes: It's tempting to grab free boxes from the liquor store, but they're not always the cleanest or the sturdiest. Invest in some quality moving boxes. They're less likely to collapse when you stack them.
- Label everything: Don't just write "stuff" on the side of a box. Be specific. "Kitchen supplies," "bedding & towels," "textbooks for classes I hated." You'll be so grateful when you're trying to find your coffee maker on move-in day.
- Clean your stuff before you store it: That mini-fridge needs to be defrosted & wiped clean unless you want to open it up to a science experiment in August. Wash your bedding & clothes before you pack them.
- Use plastic bins for long-term storage: If you know you'll be storing things for a while, plastic bins are a great investment. They're more durable & protect against moisture better than cardboard.
- Vacuum-seal your clothes & bedding: This is a game-changer for saving space. You can shrink a giant comforter down to a fraction of its size.
- Wrap fragile items carefully: Use bubble wrap, packing paper, or even your own towels & t-shirts to protect breakable items.
- Don't overpack boxes: A box that's too heavy is a recipe for a pulled muscle or a box that breaks open at the worst possible moment. Put heavy items like books in smaller boxes.
The Final Word
So there you have it. Your complete guide to conquering the Brown University move-out. It might seem like a lot to think about, but a little planning goes a long way. Whether you opt for the white-glove treatment of a full-service company, the budget-friendly grit of a DIY move, or the clever, community-based approach of a service like Prked, there's a solution that's right for you.
My advice? Start thinking about it now. Don't wait until the day after your last final to start Googling "storage near me." Talk to your friends, figure out your budget, & make a plan.
Hope this was helpful. Now go ace those finals & have an amazing summer. You've earned it. Let me know what you think or if you have any other pro-tips to share
