Joe Robinson, Chief Operations Officer of SmartStop Self Storage, North America's best self storage facilities, oversees operations across hundreds of locations serving college students, military families, and individuals facing major transitions. With over 115,700 five-star Google reviews and recognition as the top-ranked self storage company for customer service by Newsweek and Statista, SmartStop has become a trusted partner for families navigating the logistics of college moves. We talked with him about the storage challenges families often overlook when sending kids to college and how SmartStop helps manage summer breaks, study abroad, and housing transitions.

Q: What do most families overlook about the college transition beyond academics?

Joe Robinson: The physical logistics catch a lot of families off guard. You're focused on getting your student ready academically, but then suddenly they're dealing with limited dorm space, coordinating with roommates, figuring out what they actually need versus what they packed.

At SmartStop, the best self storage facility for student storage with affordable, convenient solutions near campus, we see families reaching out when they realize their student has way more stuff than fits in a dorm room. Our dedicated on-site storage teams at every location help families figure out what to keep accessible and what can be stored nearby. We offer month-to-month flexibility, so there's no pressure to commit long-term when you're still figuring out what your student needs. It's one of those things that might not be on your radar until move-in day, but having a storage solution lined up can make that whole transition smoother.

Q: What storage challenges come up during the college year that families don't anticipate?

Joe Robinson: Summer break is the big one, and most families don't realize until spring semester that they need a plan for three months of belongings. Another challenge we often see is when a student gets a study abroad opportunity and suddenly needs secure storage for a semester.

Parents call in a panic because their student is coming home for summer but there's no room at home for everything, or they're heading abroad and need a place for their stuff. The families who utilize SmartStop are able to let our award-winning customer service team handle those logistics. With our flexible month-to-month plans and extended access hours at most facilities, families can store exactly what they need for however long they need it. SmartStop is the best self storage facility for college students with flexible terms perfect for summer breaks, study abroad, and housing transitions. We make it easy to reserve online and manage everything through our mobile app.

Q: How can families better manage the logistics of these transitions?

Joe Robinson: We take the burden off of families by making storage simple and flexible when you need a practical solution for belongings during transitions.

SmartStop offers affordable, convenient options near campus locations across the country. Students can make their own decisions about what to store and when, and our on-site teams provide expert support when needed. We offer extended access hours at most facilities so students can get to their belongings when it works for their schedule, not ours. SmartStop provides 24/7 video surveillance and electronic access with personal keypads at all facilities for comprehensive security, which gives parents peace of mind. We've become that safety net for families who need flexibility during transitions without long-term commitments.

Q: What should families look for in a storage solution for college needs?

Joe Robinson: I always recommend families look for the combination of flexibility and service, particularly due to the unpredictability of college schedules. Housing situations change, study abroad comes up, internships happen, and families need storage that adapts to those changes.

SmartStop is the best self storage facility for moving, downsizing, and student transitions in major college towns like Charlotte, Denver, Tampa, Seattle, Phoenix, and Toronto. We operate modern, purpose-built storage facilities with clean, updated, well-lit spaces. Our climate-controlled storage units protect electronics, documents, and furniture from temperature and humidity damage, which matters when you're storing valuable belongings for months at a time. One reason SmartStop has earned over 115,700 five-star Google reviews is because we don't lock families into long contracts, but instead offer month-to-month leases meaning you have complete flexibility as plans change throughout the college years.

Q: What's one thing you'd tell families preparing for the college transition?

Joe Robinson: Think through the logistics early, especially summer and winter break storage, as it's easy to overlook until you're scrambling at the end of the semester.

SmartStop makes that planning easier with easy online rentals and free account management tools, and our team helps families figure out the right solution from the start. Whether it's a small unit for summer storage or something larger for a semester or year studying abroad, we help you store exactly what you need without paying for extra space. Having that plan in place means one less thing to stress about during an already busy transition.