Students and extended travelers have a specific storage problem: they need somewhere to keep a car for weeks to months, they're on tight budgets, and their timelines are often fuzzy. The solutions that work for a family storing a second car don't always fit student and traveler needs.

School ends in May, fall semester starts in August. That's 3-4 months where you may not need your car if you're going home, traveling, or doing an internship elsewhere.

The problem: Keeping a car in Atlanta while you're gone means paying for parking (often $100-200/month on or near campus) or leaving it somewhere potentially unsecured.

The solution: Dedicated storage at $50-125/month is often cheaper than campus parking rates, and the car is in a secure location rather than a campus lot.

You're leaving the country for 4-12 months. Your car can't come with you.

The problem: Long-term storage with uncertain return dates. You might come back early, stay longer, or need someone else to access the car.

The solution: Month-to-month storage with flexible terms. Avoid long-term contracts when your timeline isn't certain.

Similar to study abroad but often with even less certain timelines. You might be gone 2 months or 8 months.

The problem: You need storage but don't know exactly how long.

The solution: Flexible month-to-month arrangements. Consider having a trusted friend with access in case you need someone to check on or retrieve the car.

You're doing a summer or semester internship in another city. You need your car there, not in Atlanta—or you don't need it at all.

The solution: If the internship provides parking, drive there. If not, consider whether you actually need the car at all versus storing it.

Month-to-month is essential. Students and travelers rarely know exactly when they'll return. Contracts requiring 6-month commitments don't fit this lifestyle.

Budget matters. Students especially are often working with limited funds. The cheapest secure option is usually the right one.

Your car will sit unattended for months. It needs to be somewhere with:

• Gated access
• Decent lighting
• Reasonable security measures

Premium features (climate control, covered storage) are nice but often unnecessary for budget-conscious users.

Can someone else access your car if you authorize them? What if your return is delayed? Make sure you understand the policies before you leave the country.

Storage near Georgia Tech, Emory, or Georgia State will cost more than storage 20-30 miles east along I-20. If you're leaving for months anyway, the inconvenience of picking up your car from a more distant location barely matters.

Example: Campus-area storage might run $150-200/month. Storage in the Conyers/Oxford area might run $75-100/month. Over 4 months of summer, that's $200-400 in savings.

Student storage demand peaks in May (end of spring semester) and early December (winter break). Facilities near universities may fill up.

If you're storing for summer, lock in your space in April. Don't wait until finals week to figure this out.

Some students coordinate storage together. Facilities may offer deals for multiple vehicles from the same group. Worth asking.

Whether you're gone for 3 months or 12:

Battery: Either disconnect or use a maintainer. A dead battery is the #1 problem students encounter when retrieving stored cars.

Fuel: Fill the tank and add stabilizer if storing more than 30 days.

Tires: Inflate properly to reduce flat spots.

Cleaning: Don't store a dirty car. Dirt trapped under a cover or sitting for months damages paint.

Insurance: Make sure your coverage continues while stored. Many student policies are through parents—confirm the car is covered off-campus.

Documentation: Write down the facility address, access code, and space number somewhere you won't lose it. You'd be surprised how many students forget these details during a semester abroad.

If you're flying out of Hartsfield-Jackson, storage near the airport seems logical. But airport-area storage is expensive. For trips over 2-3 weeks, storage farther from the airport plus Uber to/from often costs less.

Having a trusted person with authority to access your car can save you. If there's an emergency, break-in, or issue with the storage facility, someone needs to be able to deal with it.

You might land at 11 PM after 15 hours of travel. Do you want to Uber to a storage facility to retrieve your car? Plan whether you'll get the car immediately or wait until the next day.

Oxford RV Storage offers month-to-month car storage that works for student and traveler situations. Located about 40 miles east of Atlanta along I-20, it's not walking distance to Georgia Tech—but for someone storing 3-6 months, that doesn't matter.

The rates are typically competitive with or lower than closer-in options. For students from the east side of the Metro, or anyone whose departure/arrival doesn't involve the airport, it's worth comparing.