Thinking about moving now that rents have cooled off? Short term storage can make the switch a lot easier. After all, new leases rarely start the same day old ones end. So instead of cramming boxes into a friend’s garage, you can park your things in a unit for a few weeks and move on your own schedule.
Right now, plenty of Savannah-area renters are weighing that kind of move. Lower rents and generous move-in specials make it a good time to upgrade, downsize, or simply find a better deal. Below, we explain what’s happening in the local rental market, when a storage unit helps, and how to plan the gap between apartments without the stress.
Why Savannah-Area Renters Are Moving Right Now
For the first time in years, renters have real bargaining power. According to MMG Real Estate Advisors’ Savannah Q2 2026 Market Report, average effective rent in the Savannah apartment market was $1,583, down 5.8% from a year earlier. Meanwhile, occupancy slipped to 89.5%. The same report notes that quarterly rent losses have flattened out at 0.0%, which suggests prices may be close to the bottom.
Federal data points the same way. A September 2026 HUD USER market spotlight calls Savannah-area rental conditions “very soft.” It estimates the overall rental vacancy rate at 12.5%, and the apartment vacancy rate reached 17.0% in late 2025, up from 11.7% a year earlier. Why? Builders have completed an average of 2,475 apartments a year since 2022, while renters have absorbed only about 1,100 a year.
As a result, landlords are competing for tenants. For example, Savannah listings on ApartmentGuide’s deals page advertise move-in specials such as one month or six weeks of free rent. In other words, if your lease is up soon, this may be the right moment to shop around.
When Leases Don’t Line Up: Where Short Term Storage Helps
A great deal on a new apartment doesn’t always come with a perfect move-in date. Fortunately, a storage unit fills that gap. Here are the situations we see most often.
Upgrading to a better apartment
Maybe you finally found a place with an extra bedroom or a shorter commute. However, your current lease ends two weeks before the new one starts. Instead of paying rent on two places, move your belongings into short term storage, stay with family for a bit, and move in when the keys are ready.
Downsizing to save money
On the other hand, some renters are moving to a smaller place to lock in a lower rent. A smaller apartment often means less closet space, though. So short term storage gives you time to decide what to keep, sell, or donate, rather than making rushed choices on moving day.
Waiting on a new home
Others are leaving renting behind altogether. If you’re buying or building in a growing area like Pembroke, closing dates can shift. Our guide to Pembroke’s new homes boom explains how a unit bridges that wait. And if you’re selling a house first, our tips on how to declutter before selling show how storage helps with staging, too.
Why Month to Month Storage Fits the Gap
The best part of short term storage is that you only pay for the time you actually need. At Sid’s Self Storage in Pembroke, every unit rents month-to-month, with no long-term contract. So if your new place is ready in three weeks, great. And if the move-in date slips, you simply keep the unit another month.
Beyond that, a few other details make the in-between stretch easier:
- 24/7 gate access. Your personal gate code works day and night, even on holidays. Therefore, you can grab a box after work or unload before sunrise.
- Drive-up units. Every unit is ground-floor and fully enclosed, so you can back a truck or trailer right up to your door.
- Online rental and autopay. You can rent online in about five minutes and turn on autopay, so rent goes out on time while you’re busy moving.
- Cancel anytime. When you’re settled in, you can cancel with no penalty.
How to Plan Short Term Storage Between Apartments
A little planning now saves a lot of hassle later. Follow these steps before moving day.
1. Pick the right size
Start by matching the unit to your apartment. A 5×10 holds about a small closet’s worth, which works for overflow while you downsize. A 10×10 fits roughly a one-bedroom apartment. Meanwhile, a 10×20 works like a two-car garage and can hold a three-bedroom home. Still unsure? Try the size calculator on our home page.
2. Pack for the next move, too
Since your things will move twice, pack them to travel well. Label every box by room, and keep the items you’ll need first near the door. Our guide on how to pack a storage unit covers the details. Also, review what not to store in a storage unit before you load up.
3. Sort out coverage and paperwork
Sid’s requires contents coverage at move-in. Fortunately, your renters policy may already help, so call your agent first. Then keep your lease papers, ID, and valuables with you rather than in the unit.
4. Line up your dates
Finally, write down your move-out date, your move-in date, and the days in between. Then reserve your short term storage unit a few days before move-out. That way, you can make a couple of easy trips instead of one exhausting marathon.
Frequently Asked Questions
How short can short term storage be?
As short as you need. Our rentals are month-to-month, so you can rent for a single month and cancel when you’re done.
Can I move in the same day I rent?
Yes. Rent online, get your gate code by email, and move in the same day.
Is Pembroke convenient if I’m moving around Savannah?
Yes. We sit just off GA-119, about two minutes from I-16 Exit 143. Savannah is about 35 minutes away, Richmond Hill is about 22, and Hinesville is about 25.
What if my new lease start date changes?
No problem. Just keep your unit for another month. There’s no long-term contract to break.
Where can I find more answers?
Our self storage questions guide and FAQ page cover gate codes, payments, and more.
Ready to Bridge the Gap? Rent Short Term Storage Today
Sid’s Self Storage, formerly Bacon’s Self Storage, sits at 102 W Industrial Blvd in Pembroke. Our gated, well-lit property offers 24/7 access, drive-up units, and month-to-month rentals. So whether you’re upgrading, downsizing, or waiting on a new home, short term storage keeps your move on track.
Rent online now in about five minutes, and use promo code MOVEINNOW for your first month. Have questions? Contact us or call (912) 574-4473. We’re locally owned, and we’re happy to help you plan.
Sources: MMG Real Estate Advisors, “Savannah Q2 2026 Market Report,” https://mmgrea.com/savannah-q2-2026-market-report/ ; HUD USER, PD&R Edge, “Stable Job Market, Balanced Sales Market Conditions, and Very Soft Rental Market Conditions in the Savannah HMA” (Sept. 3, 2026), https://www.huduser.gov/portal/pdredge/pdr-edge-spotlight-article-090326.html ; ApartmentGuide, “Savannah, GA Apartment Specials & Deals,” https://www.apartmentguide.com/apartments/Georgia/Savannah/rent-deals-specials-3bf/ ; Sid’s Self Storage, FAQ and Terms and Conditions pages.
