Moving to Syracuse This Summer?
Here's Where to Store What.
A neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide to picking the right storage location during a move to or within Central New York — and what to put where.
Moving to or within Syracuse this summer? You're in good company — the warm months bring the highest move-in volume of the year across Central New York, and a meaningful share of those moves involve a stop at a storage unit either during or after the transition. The trick is picking the right facility for what you're storing and where you're going to live.
After 30 years renting units to people in the middle of moves across Onondaga County, we've watched the patterns: people consistently underestimate how long the move takes, overestimate how much they can fit in their new place, and forget that "near the highway" matters a lot more than they think. Here's a real guide to making the storage piece of your Syracuse move easier.
First decision: do you actually need storage for this move?
You probably do, and probably for one of three reasons. Timing gap— your new place isn't available the same day your old lease ends, and you need somewhere for your stuff for two days to two months. Downsizing— you're moving to a smaller place and need somewhere to keep the items you can't part with but can't fit either. Staging— you're selling, the realtor wants the house decluttered, and a unit becomes the staging area. All three are common; all three benefit from picking the right location.
Match the storage location to the move route
The biggest mistake people make is renting storage at the facility closest to their oldaddress. You usually want storage closest to your newaddress, because that's where you'll be making repeat trips to retrieve things over the following weeks or months. Below is a neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide to the closest B&C facilities for each part of the Syracuse area:
Downtown Syracuse, Eastwood, Tipperary Hill, Westcott
Closest facilities: B&C Downtown(100 Wilkinson St, has climate-controlled units — important if you're storing anything for more than a few weeks) and B&C Eastwood(4036 New Court Ave, drive-up access). Downtown is the right choice for apartment dwellers and condo owners who want climate-controlled space within walking or short-driving distance. Eastwood is the right choice if you'll be loading and unloading a lot — the drive-up access matters when you're hauling heavy furniture.
DeWitt, East Syracuse, Manlius, Fayetteville
Closest facilities: B&C DeWitt(6873 Manlius Center Rd, climate-controlled), B&C East Syracuse Drott Drive, B&C East Syracuse Galster Road, and B&C Cicero on Northern Boulevard. The east-side cluster is the densest in our network, which is helpful — pricing varies by site and you can often find the specific size you need at one of the four. DeWitt is closest to I-481 and the most convenient for east-side commuters.
Liverpool, Clay, North Syracuse, Cicero
Closest facilities: B&C Liverpool(7988 Morgan Rd), B&C Liverpool Village(1124 Vine St, climate-controlled), B&C North Syracuse(7500 Buckley Rd), and B&C Weller Canning in Clay(4600 Weller Canning Rd — the only facility in our network with full indoor luxury garages for RVs). If your move includes a boat, RV, or fifth-wheel, Clay is the right destination. If it's a household move, the two Liverpool facilities are most convenient.
Camillus, Westvale, Solvay
Closest facilities: B&C Camillus(4004 Box Car Ln), B&C Camillus Village(5998 W Genesee St), and B&C Westvale(511 Charles Ave). The Camillus location is our largest west-side facility — climate-controlled units and a staffed on-site office that's also the satellite office for the Clay location.
Baldwinsville, Radisson, Lysander
Closest facilities: B&C Baldwinsville(7385 State Fair Blvd) and B&C Radisson(2732 W Entry Rd). If your move is anywhere in the northwest quadrant of the metro area, these two are convenient.
Skaneateles, Marcellus, Auburn, Weedsport
Closest facilities: B&C Skaneateles(4437 State St), B&C Skaneateles Village(1382 E Genesee St), B&C Marcellus(2382 Lawrence Rd), and B&C Weedsport(2755 Trombley Rd). If your move is anywhere in the western suburbs or out toward Cayuga County, these are the right options.
Tully, Onondaga Hill, Cardiff, Lafayette
Closest facilities: B&C Tully(5720 Meeting House Rd) and B&C Onondaga Hill(4586 Nixon Park Dr). Tully serves the southern reach of the metro plus the I-81 corridor down toward Cortland. Onondaga Hill is closest for the southwest residential areas.
What to put in storage vs. what to take with you
For most Syracuse moves, here's a practical rule of thumb. Take with you to the new place: anything you'll use in the first 30 days. Put in storage: seasonal items (winter gear in summer, summer gear in winter), out-of-season clothing, holiday decorations, anything you're not sure where you'll put yet, and furniture from a downsize. Trash or donate: anything you haven't used in two years that doesn't have sentimental value — you're paying to move it twice if you keep it.
How long to plan for
Storage during a move is one of those things people plan for one month and end up needing for six. Plan generously. Our month-to-month rentals mean there's no penalty for keeping the unit longer than expected, and no contract you're locked into if you finish faster. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and have to scramble to find one mid-move.
What to do now
If your move is in the next 60 days, the right time to reserve storage is now — peak season runs from mid-May through mid-September and the most-requested unit sizes (10x10 and 10x15) sell out at specific locations during the busiest weeks. Find your nearest B&C facility, check availability for the size you need, and reserve online or by calling (315) 469-6200. Your rate is locked in once you rent, so even if you reserve now for a July move-in, you're protecting today's price.