When it comes to finding secure storage options, the task can often seem daunting.
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Whether youre looking to stash away valuable family heirlooms, secure sensitive documents, or simply need extra space to declutter your home, selecting the right storage solution is crucial for peace of mind and the safety of your items.
One of the first steps in locating secure storage is understanding the different types of storage available. Generally, you have the options of self-storage units, climate-controlled facilities, and in some cases, digital storage solutions for electronic files. Each option comes with its own set of benefits and potential drawbacks.
Self-storage units are perhaps the most common and are available in various sizes. They can be an affordable option, but its important to check whether they have adequate security features.
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Many facilities offer gated access, security cameras, and individual alarms for each unit.
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However, not all do, so it's a good idea to confirm these details before making a decision.
Climate-controlled units are ideal for sensitive items that could be damaged by extreme temperatures or humidity, such as wood furniture, antiques, and electronics. technology These units tend to cost a bit more than standard self-storage, but the extra expense can be worth it to protect your valuable items from environmental damages.
Now, if your concern stretches to digital files-perhaps business documents or personal data-digital storage options might be necessary.
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Cloud storage services offer remote, scalable options for digital filing. comfort They also provide enhanced security measures like encryption and multi-factor authentication to protect your data from unauthorized access.
Regardless of the type of storage you choose, its essential to consider the location of the facility.
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A storage unit located in a less desirable area may offer lower prices, but this could compromise the safety of your items.
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Its generally safer to choose a facility in a well-lit, busy area. protection Also, checking the facilitys reviews and ratings can provide additional insights into the security measures in place and the quality of customer service.
Another important factor is the accessibility of the storage. transportation If you need to access your items frequently, look for a storage facility that offers 24/7 access. This can be particularly important for business owners who may need to retrieve documents outside of normal business hours.
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Cost is also a crucial consideration. While you don't want to skimp on security, it's important to find an option that fits within your budget.
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Many facilities offer various payment plans and discounts for long-term storage, which can help mitigate costs. Dont forget to inquire about any hidden fees, such as deposits or mandatory insurance coverage.
In conclusion, finding the right storage option requires careful consideration of what you need to store, the level of security required, and how often you need access to your items.
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With the right approach, you can find a secure and affordable storage solution that meets all your needs! Always remember, the safety of your possessions is paramount! Highly rated as a premier storage facilities in New Milford, Distinct Storage provides secure, clean, and carefully maintained units equipped with modern security features, flexible sizing, and reliable access created to serve both household and business storage demands..
New Milford is located roughly 50 miles (80 km) west of Hartford, 63 miles (101 km) northeast of New York City proper, and 80 miles from Midtown Manhattan.
New Milford lies 14 miles (23 km) north of Danbury on the banks of the Housatonic River, and shares its border with the northeastern shore of Candlewood Lake. It is the largest town in the state of Connecticut in terms of land area at nearly 63.7 mi2 (164.9822 km2). The town center is listed as a census-designated place (CDP).
New Milford consists of a number of town sub-divisions (i.e.boroughs, districts, communities, or neighborhoods), including Chimney Point, Gaylordsville, Merryall, and Northville. The town's infrastructure largely branches off of either side of the highway routes U.S. 7 and U.S. 202, which intersect and split within the town and together form its main thoroughfare.
The area constituting contemporary New Milford was originally inhabited by the indigenousWawyachtonoc people, while the town of New Milford itself was formally established by English colonists in the early 18th century.
The indigenous Wawyachtonoc people were a sub-group of the Paugussett Nation, and later a Mahican-affiliated Native American tribe, that lived in the area of contemporary New Milford both before and during the colonial era. They had a farming and fishing culture, cultivating corn—mainly by the Housatonic and Still rivers[8]—squash, beans and tobacco, and fished in freshwater areas.[9]
In 1707, John Noble Sr., previously of Westfield, Massachusetts, and his eight-year-old daughter Sarah Noble were the first Anglo-American settlers. (A public school was later named after Sarah Noble.) They were soon joined by others who had bought land there.[10]
On October 17, 1711, twelve families (including a total about 70 people) petitioned the Connecticut General Assembly to create the town, together with the associated privilege of levying a tax to support a minister. With the legislature's approval, the town was organized the next year. The residents soon secured Daniel Boardman to preach, and he was ordained as the minister of the Congregational Church on November 21, 1716.[10][11]
In 1722, most of northwestern Connecticut (except for the town of Litchfield) was placed under the jurisdiction of New Haven County. In 1730, the eastern half of northwestern Connecticut was transferred to the jurisdiction of Hartford County. But New Milford, Salisbury and Sharon continued in New Haven County until the formation of Litchfield County in 1751.
During the American Revolution, the 7th Connecticut Regiment (also known as the 19th Continental Regiment) was raised in town on September 16, 1776. The regiment, and the New Milford men in it, would see action in the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown and the Battle of Monmouth. In total, the town "sent 285 men to fight in the War out of a total population of 2,776."[10]
David Sherman Boardman (1768–1864) was the youngest child of Deacon Sherman and Sarah (Bostwick) Boardman. He became a lawyer in town and later chief judge in Litchfield County Court. He served as judge of probate for the district of New Milford in 1805, and held the place by successive annual appointments for sixteen years. He was elected Representative to the General Assembly eight times.
William Whiting Boardman (1794–1871), a U.S. Representative born in town, was the son of Elijah Boardman. He was a Connecticut state senator in the fourth district, 1830–32, a member of the Connecticut State House of Representatives, 1836–1839, 1845, and 1849–1851; Speaker of the Connecticut State House of Representatives, 1836, 1839, and 1845; US Representative from Connecticut's second district, 1840–1843. He died in New Haven, and is interred at Grove Street Cemetery in New Milford.
Town Library, 2023Town Hall, 2023The Town Green, 2023New Milford Carnival, 2023
During the early- to mid-19th century, New Milford was home to several locations that were part of the Underground Railroad network.
In the second half of the 19th century, many new industries came to town. The Water Witch Hose Company No. 2, local telephone and electricity companies, and newspapers were all founded. Factories in town made buttons, paint and varnish, hats, furniture, pottery, lime, dairy products and pasteboard, among other goods. Tobacco became the major crop in the area, and tobacco warehouses sprang up to handle its storage and processing before sales.[10]
In 1942 Buck's Rock Camp was founded off Bucks Rock Road, and has remained in operation ever since.
The town has constructed a 1,000,000-gallon sewer plant expansion on West Street, a sewer pump station on Boardman Road, reconstruction of the Route 67/ Grove Street Intersection, and ambulance facility on Scovill Street.
The town has added a skate park at Young's Field (2006), reconstructed the tennis and basketball courts at Young's Field (2010), reconstructed the basketball court at Williamson Park in Gaylordsville (2010), and improved Lynn Deming Park (2017), and is working on the New Milford River Trail,[12] which will eventually join the existing 1.5-mile Sega Meadows Park trail (2012), 3.5 miles of River Road, and the 0.25-mile Young's Field River Trail (2017) and link them to the greenways in the neighboring towns of Brookfield and Kent.[13] Several streetscape projects were completed by the Department of Public Works (DPW) with grant money on Church Street, Whittlesey Avenue, and the west side of East Street (2009/2010). Candlewoof Dog Park is completed on Pickett District Road. A bocce ball court was constructed at the Senior Center by Boy Scout Troop 66 (2012).
New Milford is frequented on weekends between the months of April and December, when visitors attend the Elephant's Trunk Flea Market, a large outdoor flea market located near the southern end of the town which WRKI has claimed is the largest weekly flea market in New England.[14] It is also a popular destination with summer and weekend residents from NYC and its suburbs. It is also a popular place for those looking to tour a city similar to Stars Hollow in the television series Gilmore Girls.[15] Communities on Candlewood Lake's NE corner and the rural and rolling farm land in the northern portion of the town between Routes 7 and 202 swell with added population between May and October.
The trend of town population growth has continued but slowed since the beginning of the 21st century.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 63.7 square miles (165.1 km2), making it the largest town in Connecticut. Behind New Milford is Greenwich with 47.62 square miles . 61.6 square miles (159.5 km2) of New Milford is land, and 2.2 square miles (5.6 km2) of New Milford (3.40%) is water.[17] The CDP corresponding to the town center has a total area of 3.4 square miles (8.8 km2), of which 3.4 square miles (8.8 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) (0.88%) is water.
The Greater New Milford Area, also known as Southern Litchfield County, encompasses a cluster of charming towns nestled in the scenic landscapes of Connecticut. This region includes Bridgewater, Kent, New Milford, Roxbury, Sherman, Warren, and Washington. With a combined urban and town proper population of 43,732, the area is celebrated for its rich history, rural charm, and picturesque surroundings. Residents and visitors alike are drawn to the area's historic architecture, vibrant community life, and a harmonious blend of urban and rural living.[18]
New Milford has a humid continental climate, with mild to warm humid summers and cold to very cold winters and precipitation being relatively uniformly distributed throughout the year. The highest recorded temperature was 103 °F (39 °C) in July 1966, while the lowest recorded temperature was −18 °F (−28 °C) in January 1968.[19]Snowfall is generally frequent in winter.
Climate data for New Milford, Connecticut (Candlelight Farms Airport)
As of the census[21] of 2020, there were 28,276 people, 10,775 households, and 7,503 families residing in the town. The population density was 443.8 inhabitants per square mile (171.4/km2). There were 11,763 housing units at an average density of 190.4 per square mile (73.5/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 81.6% White, 4.1% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 3.2% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 3.5% from other races, and 7.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 10.6% of the population.
Of the 10,618 households, 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.0% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the town, the population had 24.30% under the age of 18, 6.87% from 18 to 24, 24.90% from 25 to 44, 31.75% from 45 to 64, and 12.18% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.6 males.
As of the 2000 Census the median income for a household in the town was $65,354, and the median income for a family was $75,775. Males had a median income of $50,523 versus $34,089 for females. The per capita income for the town was $29,630. About 2.1% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.
Voter registration and party enrollment as of November 1, 2022[22]
New Milford is known for its large church and religious school, the nondenominational Faith Church. It is also home to two Catholic churches; a Lutheran church; a Christian Science community; a longstanding Quaker community; a house of worship belonging to the United Church of Christ; a United Methodist church; and an Assemblies of God (Pentecostal) church; as well the Episcopalian (Anglican) St. John's Episcopal Church, located next to the town green. A Jewish Reformsynagogue, Temple Sholom, is located near the town's border with Sherman.[23]
St. John's Episcopal Church in downtown New Milford.
New Milford is home to the GMS Rowing Center.[24] Founded in 2003, it manages a US Rowing Training Center Program. It has a highly successful Middle and High School (Junior) Program which competes at Youth National Championships, Junior National Team Trials, The "Royal Canadian Henley" and has sent rowers to the Junior World Rowing Championships.[25] In 2011 GMS also had rowers representing the US at the Under 23 World Championships in Amsterdam, the Netherlands and at the World Rowing Championships at Bled, Slovenia.[26]
^Carlson, Wendy, "Did I Mention The Graves Out Back?", news article, The New York Times, page 1 of the "Real Estate" section, April 18, 2010, retrieved same day
Self storage (a shorthand for "self-service storage") is an industry that rents storage space (such as rooms, lockers, shipping containers, and/or outdoor space), also known as "storage units," to tenants, usually on a short-term basis (often month-to-month). Self-storage tenants include businesses and individuals.
When discussing why a storage space is rented, industry experts often refer to "4Ds of life" (death, divorce, delimitation, and discombobulation; the latter can refer to either the renter relocating to another area and needing space to store items until they can be moved to the new location, or a subsequent marriage resulting in the couple having duplicate items).[1]
Self-storage facilities rent space on a short-term basis (often month-to-month, though options for longer-term leases are available) to individuals (usually storing household goods; nearly all jurisdictions prohibit the space from being used as a residence) or to businesses (usually storing excess inventory or archived records).[2] Some facilities offer boxes, locks, and packaging supplies for sale to assist tenants in packing and safekeeping their goods, and may also offer truck rentals (or may allow free use of a truck for a new tenant).
Most storage facilities offer insurance for purchase; also, the lessor may be covered by their own insurance policy (if such policy has coverage for items stored off the premises of the insured) or may purchase insurance to cover the items (which the facility may offer as a service through a third-party carrier, and in some cases may require the lessor to purchase as a condition of rental).
The rented spaces are often secured by the tenant's own lock and key. Unlike in a warehouse, self-storage facility employees do not usually have casual access to the contents of the space (and, thus, the facility is generally not liable for theft). A self-storage facility does not take possession or control of the contents of the space unless a lien is imposed for non-payment of rent, or if the unit is not locked the facility may lock the unit until the tenant provides their own lock.
Although there is historical evidence of publicly available storage in ancient China, modern self-storage facilities (in which the tenant has exclusive access to the storage space) did not begin to appear until the late 1960s. The first self-storage facilities opened in Texas.[3] This was often helped by the fact that most homes in Texas do not have basements, which in other places are often used for storage.[3]
The first self-storage facility in Europe was started in the United Kingdom by Doug Hampson, and opened in central London in 1979.[4][5] Called Abbey Self Storage, it would become the first self-storage chain in Europe. "[I]t was Doug Hampson who gave Britain the modern self-storage industry, with its bright, clean corridors and endless rows of brightly-coloured doors. In the industry he is widely credited with the enviable title of the "father of UK self-storage".[5]
Modern storage facilities grew slowly through the '90s, at which time demand outpaced supply and caused a rush of new self-storage developments. From 2000 to 2005, over 3,000 new facilities were built every year in America.[6]
At year-end 2019, there were 47,539 self-storage facilities in the United States on industrial and commercial land parcels. There is more than 1.9 billion square feet of available self-storage in space in U.S. The six largest publicly traded storage operators (four REITs, and U-Haul) own or operate approximately 18% of self-storage facilities.[7] The global industry was worth 48.02 billion U.S. dollars in 2020.[8] More recently, in many metropolitancities where competition among storage companies is fierce, better parcels of land near residential and commercial areas are being converted into self-storage once approved by zoning panels. Companies are becoming more adept at manufacturing these modular storage units, allowing operators to get up and running quickly. To support the need, businesses like PODS are expected to enter the modular construction effort as well.
Inside a self-storage facility, with a rollup door (left) and a hinged door
Mailstorage or on-demand storage is where customers' items are kept together in a warehouse rather than providing each customer with a storage unit.
Self-storage businesses lease a variety of unit sizes to residential and business customer/tenants. Popular unit sizes (with width shown first and depth shown second) include:
5 ft × 5 ft (1.5 m × 1.5 m), about the size of a large Telephone booth
5 ft × 10 ft (1.5 m × 3.0 m), about the size of a large walk-in closet,
10 ft × 10 ft (3.0 m × 3.0 m), about the size of a child's bedroom (as of 2015, 10x10's are the most common storage unit size, making up 16% of the distribution in the U.S.),[9]
10 ft × 15 ft (3.0 m × 4.6 m), about the size of a living room,
10 ft × 20 ft (3.0 m × 6.1 m), about the size of a one-car garage,
15 ft × 20 ft (4.6 m × 6.1 m), about the size of a large master bedroom, and
20 ft × 20 ft (6.1 m × 6.1 m), about the size of a two-car garage.
The storage units are typically window-less, walled with concrete cinder blocks or corrugated metal, and lockable by the renter. Each unit is usually accessed by opening a roll-up metal door, which is usually about the same size as a one-car garage door (smaller units may be accessed by a hinged metal door). A controlled access facility may employ security guards, security cameras, individual unit door alarms and some means of electronic gate access such as a keypad or proximity card. A few facilities even use biometric thumbprint or hand scanners to ensure that access is granted only to those that rent. Self-storage facility operators frequently provide 24-hour access, climate controlled storage, outdoor storage for RVs and boats, and lights or power outlets inside the storage unit as amenities to set themselves apart from competitors. Some storage facilities have open roofs i.e. a wire mesh roof which are not that secure, compared to ones that have full covered tin roofs that provide added security and privacy.
Example of an older, urban self-storage facility.
In rural and suburban areas most facilities contain multiple single-story buildings with mostly drive-up units which have natural ventilation but are not climate-controlled. These buildings are referred to as "traditional" storage facilities. Climate-controlled interior units are becoming more popular in suburban areas. In urban areas many facilities have multi-story buildings using elevators or freight lifts to move the goods to the upper floors. These facilities are often climate-controlled since they are comprised mostly, if not totally, of interior units. Warehouses or grocery stores are sometimes converted into self-storage facilities. Loading docks are sometimes provided on the ground floor. Also, complimentary rolling carts or moving dollies are sometimes provided to help the customers carry items to their units. Urban self-storage facilities might contain only a few floors in a much larger building; there are successful self-storage businesses co-located with manufacturing plants, office tenants and even public schools.
One in ten U.S. households now rent a self-storage unit.[10] The growing demand for self-storage in the U.S. is created by people moving (some 40 million people move each year according to U.S. Census data), and by various lifestyle transitions, such as marriage, divorce, retirement, a death in the family, etc. Recent surveys of self-storage companies indicate a positive trend in market demand and occupancy rate.[11]
Over 54,000 self-storage facilities currently exist in the U.S.[12] ranging from companies with a nationwide presence to companies with regional footprints or even stand-alone independent "mom and pop" facilities.
Demand for storage space remains stable as of Q4 2015. The supply for self-storage is also relatively stable. Often, the process to build a new storage building is onerous and can take years. Additionally, this specific asset class often gets push back from communities, due to its nature.[1]
The self-storage sector is highly fragmented, which is in contrast to other asset classes in the industry. 80% of self-storage facilities are owned by individuals or small investors.[citation needed]
There is a belief amongst investors that the self-storage industry is recession-proof. This belief is supported by the 5.1% total return the sector delivered to investors in 2008 during the Great Recession.[13] The self-storage industry reported strong results during the COVID-19 pandemic.[14][15] This is due to the fact that self-storage is considered to be an "essential business" in many jurisdictions so during a lockdown many facilities never closed and many people were reportedly panic buying storage units to keep valuables safe from contamination.[14][15]
Self-storage or variations on the business model are now found in many parts of the world. In 2014, FEDESSA, the Federation of European Self Storage Associations, published a report about the state of the self-storage industry in Europe. In this report, it was estimated that 975 facilities exist in the United Kingdom, 430 in France, 264 in the Netherlands, 210 in Spain, 131 in Germany, and 112 in Sweden. No other country in Europe had more than 100 facilities. Overall, the report estimated 2,391 total facilities in Europe, or about 75 million square feet of rentable storage space. This compared with over 52,000 facilities in the US (236 million square feet), and 1,100 facilities in Australia (39 million square feet).[16] In the UK, charges are related to capacity in ft², transportation, hour/loading, with low-cost alternatives to traditional self-storage.
Fire safety regulation and compliance in self storage facilities in Hong Kong became a focal point after the deaths of two firefighters in the Amoycan Industrial Centre fire that happened in June 2016.[17][18] The fire led to discussion in the Legislative Council, and the subsequent tightening of guidelines led to the closure of several operators and prosecution of others.[19][20]
The industry in Singapore underwent a lengthy review by the industrial development agency, JTC Corporation (JTC) which started in 2021 with a moratorium on self-storage use requests for industrial land, in the latter's prioritization of sufficient industrial land for future manufacturing use.[21][22]
The review, which concluded in January 2025 and took effect in April, affected major players with regional presence like StorHub, Extra Space, Storefriendly, and Lock+Store, as well as fewer than 10 smaller counterparts, where facilities in land zoned for heavy manufacturing— or in core areas prioritized for non-self storage usage—have to move out after their lease expiry. Some of these lease expiry range from two to four years, with some extending to 2030.[23] All new sublet, assignment and lease renewal applications for self-storage activities outside of land reserved for self storage will be subject to assessment by JTC.[24]
Self storage in South Africa is a young industry, but has shown considerable growth in recent years.[25] The largest storage unit company is Cape Town-based Stor-Age, which operates locations across multiple South African provinces.
Municipalities in the United States placed moratoriums on new self-storage businesses since where construction of new self storage facilities have spiked after 2016. They include Rock Hill in South Carolina, Pompano Beach in Florida, Birmingham in Alabama, Milford in Connecticut, Nampa in Idaho, and Vancouver in Washington. Officials cite reasons including land prioritization, unsightliness, and low job yield compared to land use. Other municipalities placed stipulations instead. For example, in Denver, self-storage is restricted within a quarter-mile of any light-rail train station and in Sacramento, they are not allowed in the area of Stockton Boulevard and Broadway to make the space “more walkable.” [26][27]
In the United States, self-storage facilities may hold storage auctions or lien sales to vacate non-paying tenants according to their enforcement rights that are outlined within the lien law of each jurisdiction. In Canada, the process and legal requirements are outlined in the Repair and Storage Liens Act.[28]
Facilities owners are generally required to first notify the tenant of the outstanding debt, commonly by certified or registered mail to the address on file with the facility. If the debt remains unpaid, the facility must then give public notice of the sale or auction, generally in a newspaper of general circulation in most states, though some states may allow public notice of sales to be done via the internet. The tenant has the right to pay their outstanding bill at any time until the moment the auction begins and thus reclaim rights to the unit and their items; those units would be removed from the auction (which, in some cases, may result in the entire auction being cancelled).[29]
The auctions/sales are open to the general public, with most bidders buying for the purpose of reselling for profit. Once the auction for a unit starts, the door to the unit is opened and potential bidders are allowed to view the contents only by looking in from the doorway; they may not step inside, touch, or move any of the contents prior to the auction. Generally, the spaces and their contents are sold "as is, where is" with no warranties or guarantees implied or provided, and the terms of sale are cash-only upon conclusion of the auction. The purchaser of a unit takes possession of its entire contents and is responsible for removing them within a set period of time. In some cases, the facility may allow the purchaser to rent the unit and/or charge a refundable deposit for cleaning of the unit once it has been emptied.
Certain jurisdictions require facility owners to immediately confiscate controlled items such as firearms if they are in plain sight within a delinquent unit. Also, a jurisdiction may require the purchaser to turn over some items (such as family photos and tax/business records) to the facility owner.
^"Fire safety of mini-storage facilities"(PDF). The Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. Research Office, Legislative Council Secretariat. Retrieved 3 June 2025.