One of the questions we get asked a lot from people is if there is a difference between self-storage prices in Bergen County as compared to next door Passaic County? The common perception amongst residents in Bergen County is that the prices are way lower in Passaic County, and all they need to do is to drive forty minutes or so to take advantage of it.
In this article, we’ll attempt to answer this question and reflect upon the self-storage options available in both counties. However, we will leave the decision to drive for over forty minutes to Passaic county being worth it up to you.
Self-Storage Facilities in Bergen County and Passaic County
Bergen County is home to some of the largest self-storage facilities in New Jersey. The facilities are also rated as being amongst the best in the country with many national-level brands running large storage units. That’s why it is possible to find everything from a budget-friendly storage unit with little to no features, to ones with climate control, keypads and biometric security.
Passaic County, on the other hand, has its fair share of self-storage facilities. However, these aren’t as large, elaborate or advanced as some of the ones you’ll find in Bergen County. Part of the reason is that the county has a comparatively small population, which is why many of the facilities are meant to cater to this small county. That’s why finding something like a climate-controlled unit for your vehicle, boat, or something else which requires a constant temperature is difficult but not impossible.
So, if you are searching for a self-storage facility that offers all the features you want, along with good customer service, then you’ll find it in Bergen County. Obviously, renting a storage facility with more features will cost you extra, which is why the average rental prices in Bergen County are higher as compared to Passaic County.
How Much Cheaper is Self-Storage in Passaic County?
Well that depends, if we were to compare the cheapest self-storage in Bergen County that we know of to one in Passaic County, the difference is around 2%-5% at best. So, Bergen County is perhaps 5% on average more expensive. However, that will only benefit people who happen to be living in Passaic County for the simple reason being that driving for over 40 minutes to and from Passaic County is impractical not to mention expensive. The time and gas you burn reaching your self-storage negate any price benefits you’re assuming in Passaic County.
The only way someone living in Bergen County can benefit from lower-priced self-storage rental in Passaic county is if they rent a large space and don’t expect to drive to and from their storage a couple of times a year. For instance, if you have a load of extra furniture, or perhaps a boat that you only happen to take out during the summer and need to store during the winter, then only will self-storage in Passaic County be worth considering. Not to mention that there are some excellent places to go boating in Passaic County too.
People will also benefit from lower prices in Passaic County if hey happen to be moving over there. You can have all your stuff moved into storage while you search for a home or office in the city. Even then it may be cheaper to perhaps sell most of your stuff and move with the bare essentials to save on transportation.
Service Quality – Bergen Vs. Passaic County
Honestly, the quality of service you receive across both counties will vary depending on the company. Some companies have excellent customer service, well-maintained facilities and are easier to deal with while others are not. That’s something you’ll want to figure out before moving all your stuff to a facility in either county.
However, if you want to compare the number of top-class services in both counties, it is safe to say that there are better services in Bergen County as compared to Passaic County. So, there is a very good chance that you’ll find a good facility near where you live as compared to if you were living in Passaic County. That being said, the number of good services in Passaic County is expected to increase over the next couple of years with many national-level service providers expected to open shop in the county.
Which County Offers the Best Bang for Your Buck?
Answering this question is tricky because the value of a self-storage service is subjective. However, we will consider a clean, well-managed, and centrally located self-storage facility for comparison sake. When you take all these factors into consideration you’re going to find the best bang for your buck in Bergen County. Even people living in Passaic County would want to consider self-storage in Bergen.
If you are in the market for a no-frills, bare-bones service, then Passaic County will offer you the best bang. But as mentioned above, only if you are living in the county. If you’re outside and need to drive nearly an hour to reach your storage unit, then the money you save isn’t worth it.
Conclusion
One of the things we always tell people is that shopping for the lowest price isn’t the best way to get the right self-storage solution. Many times these services will increase the price every few months. So, what may start out as a bargain, could end up costing you a premium. Then you also need to factor in the price of insurance. So, there is a lot more to consider than just what the storage unit will cost you each month!