Parking at an Apartment Complex or Storage Facility

Rules for parking at apartments or storage complexes​

Many apartment and storage complexes have tight parking — either due to limited space or because things like gates and buildings make them difficult to navigate through. Because of this, moving from these types of facilities can pose a challenge. If you only have access to one or two spots at an apartment or the storage unit doesn’t allow overnight parking for equipment, special arrangements may have to be made. The first step is finding out what the parking rules are, and then you can choose a moving company that can accommodate them.

How to get permission to park moving equipment

The first thing you need to do before a move is understand what the rules are at your facility. Talk with the landlord or the storage complex management about your upcoming move. While there may be guidelines to abide by, you aren’t the first person to move in or out, so they likely have solutions for parking. Here are some questions you might ask:

• Are there certain days that are set aside for moving? For example, some complexes may not allow moving on Saturday because of increased traffic.
• Do I need to reserve a time slot or parking spot?
• Are there specific hours that the equipment needs to be dropped off or picked up?
• Where can I park the equipment?
• Is there a special entrance for the moving company to use?
• Can I park overnight?
•  Is there a special temporary code I can give the driver for gate access?
• Is there a freight elevator at the apartment for moving big furniture/boxes? If so, do you need to reserve it? If not, ask about the best time to the housing elevator so other residents are not inconvenienced.
• Where can loading or unloading help park?

Once you understand the guidelines for parking, you can find a moving service. One of the best solutions for long-distance moves where parking is an issue is U-Pack®. Because we do many residential and commercial deliveries, we are equipped to work around areas with tight parking.

The space needed to park a U-Pack moving truck and trailer

U-Pack® has two types of moving equipment: a 28’ moving trailer and smaller ReloCube containers. Take a look at the different parking needs for each equipment type.

The trailer is 28’ long and requires about 40 feet in length for delivery and parking (including room for the 14’ loading ramp). Along with the length, it needs 14’ of overhead space (free from low-hanging wires or tree limbs) and 10 feet in width. That is equivalent to 3-4 car lengths or five standard side-by-side spaces in a parking lot. The trailer needs to be parked on a solid surface — no soft earth or grassy areas.

The ReloCube is comparable to a PODS® container — a metal moving and storage container — except its size often makes it easier to park. Cubes are 6’ x 7’ x 8’ and fit in a standard parking space. Like the trailer, they require a paved, level location for delivery and 14 feet of overhead clearance. This is because they’re delivered to your location by a flatbed or drop-deck trailer and placed on the ground using a forklift.

While most areas are great for parking our equipment (with the proper permission and permits), there are some places we can’t park the trailer or Cube due to legal or clearance issues. These include:

• Fire lane or next to a fire hydrant
• The wrong way on a one-way street
• In a garage or parking garage
• Under covered parking or car port
• Under an awning

How U-Pack can work around parking issues

Take a look at some common parking issues you might face at apartments or storage facilities and ways we can work through them. Keep in mind, U-Pack doesn’t coordinate a parking plan for you, but if you’re stuck, we’re happy to help come up with solutions.

The apartment or storage facility won’t allow overnight parking.

Because we give our customers three days to load and three days to unload, the equipment stays parked overnight for most moves. In locations where overnight parking isn’t allowed, we may be able to do a same-day pick up or live load. Same-day pick up is where the driver delivers the trailer or container early in the day and then picks it up later that afternoon or evening. Live loads are where the driver stays with the equipment for a set period of time, usually 2 or 4 hours. Live loads are typically available in bigger cities where parking is extremely limited. If you think you need one of these options, call a U-Pack representative at 800-413-4799.

There’s a gated entry-way that may not be wide enough for the equipment. ​

Both the moving trailer and ReloCube delivery equipment make wide turns. However, we may be able to park outside of the gate and have you load the equipment there. Make sure to ask about the best route and location or call a U-Pack representative for help.

Limited access to parking spaces.

For moves with limited parking, ReloCubes may be ideal. Since each Cube only needs a standard parking space, it’s possible to use just one or two spots depending on the size of your apartment or storage unit.

Only street parking is available.

We can park the equipment on the street in most locations, but parking permits may be required. Check with the city, street department or the local police to find out what requirements there are for street parking. Give yourself enough time (2-4 weeks, if possible) to get permits approved before the move. Learn more about parking permits.

You have to reserve parking spots for the equipment.

Reserved parking is ideal because it means the space is readily available when the trailer or Cube arrives. Some places may even require you to reserve spots. Talk with the person in charge to see if reserving spaces is allowed, and then be sure to put up signs or block off the area on the day of your move.

You have nowhere to park.

We work with thousands of customers every day, so if you have nowhere to park, don’t worry, we can still help! Consider these alternative parking options:

• Get permission at another location (neighboring street or parking lot)
• Ask a U-Pack consultant about same-day delivery/pick up
• Ask about a live load
• Do a terminal-to-terminal move (where you load or unload your items at the closest service center)

Talk to U-Pack about apartment or storage facility parking issues

No matter where you’re moving from or to, we’ll can help you find parking solutions. Get a free online moving quote, then call a U-Pack consultant at 800-413-4799 to discuss parking situations. You can give us your quote reference number, and we can check the available options.

Do you have other questions about moving equipment parking in residential areas or storage areas? Leave us a comment below — we’re happy to help!

The Best Tacoma Neighborhoods to Live In

The best neighborhoods in Tacoma are more than just cute or within an easy commuting distance of downtown. If you’re planning a big move, you want to be sure you choose the neighborhood that is best suited to your needs, lifestyle, and aesthetic tastes. Here is our list of the best neighborhoods in Tacoma, WA, to help get you started on your search.

North End

All of North Tacoma is in excellent proximity to the lovely Tacoma waterfront if you like picturesque strolls, as well as being quite close to downtown as well as 6th Ave, which is where you’ll find the biggest attractions, bars, restaurants, and shops. North Tacoma itself has some lovely coffee shops and small boutiques tucked into a more residential area, where you’ll find the median age somewhere mid-30’s and the most highly-sought-after school in the city: Stadium High School. With its Hogwarts-esque castle appearance and view out over the lake, your kids might just need to attend.

Real estate is a bit pricier than other areas of the city, and the median income is around $66,000. Being one of the safest neighborhoods in Tacoma, WA does make it an enticing area for families though.

Downtown Tacoma

And now, for a different flavor: if you prefer to be right in the middle of all the action, settle into your new home alongside the Tacoma Art Museum, Museum of Glass, Bridge of Glass, top-notch restaurants, and theaters. Hop around Pacific Ave on the Light Rail or check out some of what University of Washington – Tacoma has to offer. If you’re worried about commuting to work, living downtown might be the answer to all of your woes, though it also might be one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Tacoma. You’re likely to find condos and apartments downtown that isn’t particularly geared towards families, but if you’re kid-free? It might be just the kind of social vibe you’re looking for.

Old Town

Right next to the Waterfront, Stadium and downtown districts, Old Town is a Tacoma treasure. With relics like Tacoma’s first church and a replica of the Job Carr Cabin, the home of Tacoma’s first settler, residents can literally see and touch the history of this city. Neighborhood taverns and restaurants keep the locals supplied with good food and a relaxed atmosphere while The Tacoma Old Town Rhythm and Blues Festival and other family-oriented events keep the summertime exciting. And if you’re moving cross country with kids, you’ll want to be sure there’s plenty for them to do! Home prices in Old Town are generally in the $300k and above bracket, and the few apartment buildings are in high demand. Most residential houses are condos or homes, and many of them have partial or full views of the waterfront.

New Tacoma

On the other end of the timescale, New Tacoma is the area surrounding the port with some overlap into the Downtown area. With expansive waterfronts mostly dominated by shipping warehouses and infrastructure to fuel the international trade economy, this area is bustling with business. The silver bowl of the Tacoma Dome is visible, and the Pullayup Reservation is on the southeast end. Since this neighborhood covers a pretty diverse range of real estate, you can find everything from luxury condos to older homes or renovated 19th-century gems. Head more toward the Downtown side of the neighborhood and you’ll find all the restaurants, bars, and shopping you want; head towards the port, and you’ll find a slight gritter flavor. There’s a little something for everyone.

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Best Neighborhoods Tacoma

How to find same day movers

You’ve probably heard it over and over again that proper planning is key to success. And you’ve probably found this to be true through personal experience as well – especially in regard to big endeavors, difficult projects, and important events.

Moving house is, without a doubt, exactly such a risky, challenging, life-changing event that needs A LOT of planning in order to have any chance of success. Most moving experts recommend that you start your moving preparations at least 2 months in advance, so that you have the time to organize all the aspects of the arduous relocation process and take care of all the laborious moving tasks.

Yet, you may not always have months (not even weeks!) to plan your move – you may need to leave your current within a couple of days or even today. In such a case, you have little choice but to find last minute movers and organize an emergency relocation – without the benefit of careful planning.

And still you may have a successful moving experience – provided that you find experienced and trustworthy same day movers to help you relocate.

There are two very different reasons why you may need emergency movers:

You may need to leave in a hurry because of a sudden change in your life – breaking up with your significant other, accepting a job in another city that starts in two days, etc.; or
You may need same day moving help because your relocation was scheduled for that day but your hired movers didn’t show up.
Depending on the specific circumstances in your case, things will be different, of course. But either way, you’re still going to need movers today.

Here is how to find a reliable last minute moving company and save the day (as well as your money and your sanity):

Know what you have for moving
If your move was planned, you would have sorted out your belongings way in advance and created a moving inventory of the items you intend to relocate to your new place.

If you’re faced with an emergency move though, you have yet to decide which of your items to take to your new home and which ones to leave behind. This is the first thing to do when preparing for a last minute relocation, as you need to know how many things you have for moving when contacting same day movers and asking for price estimates and emergency moving services.

You need to make a quick decision – you don’t have the time to dawdle and wonder. Just go through your possessions and make a list of the items you need or love so much that you would hold onto them at all costs – everything else can go. Keep in mind that the less stuff you decide to bring along, the cheaper and the easier your move will be.

To get rid of your no longer needed items (everything you haven’t used in over a year) quickly, you can:

post a message on Craigslist free board (or other similar sites) or Facebook (or other social media), saying that you’re giving away things for free (or at a very low cost) and describing the items and your location;
call your friends and ask them to come over and get those of your unwanted items that they need or like;
take your no longer needed items to a local charity or thrift store;
call a pick-up company that will take your things and donate (or recycle) them.
Bonus tip: Take photos of the items you’re going to ship to your new home – you may not have the time for a detailed inventory, so the pictures will remind you of what exactly you entrusted to the movers and will serve as proof in case some of your belongings get lost or damaged during the relocation.


Find reliable same day movers
Once you know exactly what you want to relocate, it’s time to find an efficient way to transport your belongings to your new home. Renting a moving truck is hardly an option as you won’t be able to arrange the details, prepare your items for moving, and make the trip to your final destination on your own in such a short time. Your best bet is to hire emergency movers to do the job for you.

Same day moving companies have the resources and ability to provide efficient protection to your belongings, load them onto the moving truck, transport the shipment, and unload your goods quickly enough to accommodate your limited timeframe. Yet, not all movers are the same, so you need to be very careful and choose a reliable and experienced carrier to hire:

Search around for short notice movers who can provide you with emergency moving services today. Not all moving companies can handle a same day move – most are booked weeks in advance (especially on weekends and during the summer months) and don’t have any trucks or moving crews available to meet your last minute relocation needs. It is, therefore, a good idea to fill out an online moving quote form – you will be contacted by several different movers within half an hour or so and will have a better chance to find a same day moving service real quick.
Research the emergency movers who said they could accommodate your needs. You won’t have the time for a thorough research, but you can find some important information about the companies very quickly:
Check their USDOT numbers to make sure the movers are properly licensed and authorized to transport household goods across the country;
Check the companies’ ratings with the BBB and find out if they belong to esteemed moving organizations or not;
Read moving reviews left by previous customers of the companies to find out if the movers provide quality services or not;
Call the FMCSA’s safety violation and consumer complaints hotline to ask about complaints against the movers or research the database of reputable consumer protection sites to check the complaint histories of the companies you’re interested in.
Look for:
Legitimacy and honesty – there are a lot of rogue movers who will want to take advantage of your situation, so you need to be sure you’re dealing with properly licensed and fully insured moving professionals who will readily give you all the information you need and will provide you with full and clear moving documentation;
Speed, efficiency, and safety – you need movers who will not only work quickly but will also take good care of your items and will ensure their safety. This comes with proper training, rich experience, and genuine concern about your move;
Affordability – you need to find a moving company that offers high quality services at a reasonable price. Keep in mind that hourly rates for same day moving services can vary from as low as $100 to as high as $400.
Get estimates from three or four same day moving companies that seem to meet your needs and requirements.
Ask the movers how long they have been in business, what kind of liability coverage they provide, if they have appropriate moving equipment and experienced moving crew available for the time of your move, what they consider extra services and how much they charge for them, what payments methods they accept, when you’re going to receive your items, and any other questions you may have concerning the moving company and the details of your move.
Compare the offers and make your choice – consider not only the final price, but also the included services and extra conditions. Be wary of estimates that are considerably lower than the rest – oftentimes, offers that are too good to be true are signs of moving fraud and people end up paying more than they were originally quoted.
Confirm the details of your move with your chosen same day moving company – confirm not only the time when the movers will arrive at your home, but also what size moving truck will be necessary, how many people will come, what moving equipment they will bring, what extra services will be required, how long the move will take, etc.
Bonus tip: When hiring emergency moving services, make sure you opt for full-service movers – there is a lot of work to be done and not enough time to do it, so full service moving is your best bet in this situation. It is a good idea to have your items professionally packed as well – packing is extremely laborious and time-consuming and needs to be done with utmost care as the safety of your belongings depends on it (unless your items are already packed, of course, which would be the case if you were expecting movers on that day but they didn’t show up).

If you can’t find full-service movers who can accommodate all your needs, try to ensure partial moving help at least – same day long distance movers to transport your belonging across the country, same day small movers to take care of specialty items you can’t relocate on your own, professional packers to prepare your items for shipment, etc.

Pack your essentials and valuables yourself and take them with you
No matter how pressed for time you may be, make sure you prepare a box of essentials that will help you survive for some time without the rest of your possessions. Also, collect your important documents and most valuable possessions (precious jewelry, expensive electronics, family heirlooms, etc.) and keep them with you all the time – your first-night box and your valuables should travel with you.

Double check everything
Take a last look at your old home to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything important. Don’t forget that you need to leave the place in good condition – if you don’t have the time for a final cleaning after the movers depart, you may need to hire professional cleaning services to do the job for you.

If you didn’t have the time to change your address, cancel utilities, and take care of all the other relevant paperwork before your emergency move, do so as soon as you find yourself in your new home. (See also: What to do after moving to a new home)

Moving is always difficult, but it gets even riskier and more stressful when you have such a limited time to perform it. To ensure a successful relocation, you need to stay calm, keep your focus, and make the most out of the available time. And most importantly – ask friends and relatives for help and find a reliable same day moving company to take care of your relocation needs and ensure the favorable outcome of your moving adventure.