Birmingham is a relatively small city of 212,000 people, but this historical city was at the center of the civil rights movement in the 50s and 60s, and is the site where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his famous Letter from Birmingham Jail. Times have changed much since then not only socially, but in terms of storage and travel.
If you have an RV, you’re probably happy to get out of the city during vacation months to enjoy less humid climates or just see other parts of the United States. However, where to put your RV when you’re not using it might be a problem, as most streets do not allow RV parking. Even if you have a large driveway, you should definitely consider self-storage. Birmingham has 88 self-storage facilities, 9 of which have RV storage.
Security is Critical in Birmingham
This is exactly why, even if you can legally park your RV at home, you should probably get it into storage. The National Crime Index rates cities from 1 to 100, with 1 being the least safe, and 100 the most. Most safe cities rank from about 25 to 40.
Birmingham’s rank is an abysmal 1. The average crime rate in Alabama is higher than the national average, and the average for Birmingham is more than three times greater than for the state. In short, even if you personally feel comfortable with your RV parked on your property, statistically speaking, it would be much safer in a storage unit.
Since RV self-storage can range from an outdoor gated parking lot to a fully enclosed and locked unit, do your research. Our article on
storage security systems can help you get a solid grasp on what good security means so you can find the ideal facility.
Get 24 Hour Access
People often travel at strange hours. We’ll catch a red-eye flight at 2:00 am to get to a conference across the country. Our flights will come in at midnight, so we’ll either have to get into a hotel room for a good night’s sleep or power through a drive home.
It’s similar with RV travel. You may want to get up before dawn, pick up your RV, and be on the road before morning commuter traffic hits. When you return a month or more later, delays may mean you arrive back in Birmingham after midnight.
To make your travel life easier, find a place with 24 hour access.
Ask About Amenities
Though it’s uncommon, some facilities, especially those specializing in RVs, offer amenities. Possibilities include a sewage dump station, a water refill station, or even propane and firewood for the trip.
Flexible Leases Can Save You Money
Going on vacation means spending money. In an RV, at the very least, you’ll have to pay for your camping space, gasoline, and food to cook at the campground. However, chances are, you’ll want to visit the nearby museums, theme parks, and whatever else your destination has to offer. The combined price of eating out, going on rides, and other events can add up.
That’s why some facilities offer flexible leases. You may be able to spend less on your RV storage while traveling. The idea is to keep it reserved for you while saving you money. Ask any facility you’re considering about flexible lease options.
