There is something surreal about watching your entire life packed into boxes. It can happen for many reasons: relocation, renovations, a temporary move, divorce, or simply taking a break. In my case, it was a strange limbo between leases. I suddenly found myself with two months without an apartment - and far too many belongings that definitely did not fit into a suitcase.
The anxiety hit quickly. What do you do with a sofa? A dishwasher? My daughter’s crib - something I could not part with either physically or emotionally? You suddenly realize how many things you own, how much life you have accumulated. And it is overwhelming.
The Unexpected Solution
After one particularly stressful conversation with a friend, he asked casually: “Why don’t you just put everything in storage for a few weeks?”
Honestly, the idea had never crossed my mind. To me, storage sounded like something you do if you move abroad for years, not if you are between apartments in Tel Aviv. But curiosity led me to check - and I was surprised.
I found the website for Achsan Kol (“Storage All”), and it immediately made sense. Suddenly, storage felt accessible, straightforward, even convenient. No aggressive marketing, just a simple promise: You have belongings, we will keep them safe - organized, clean, and secure.
Taking the First Step
I called. A friendly representative answered, speaking to me on my level. She did not try to sell me anything, only asked what I needed. “How many cubic meters do you think you have?”
Silence. I had no idea.
She explained: a cubic meter is one meter by one meter by one meter. Then she helped me estimate. We went room by room, she patiently answered every question, and by the end, we agreed that I would meet the movers at the storage facility on moving day.
Moving Day - Order Out of Chaos
Moving is always chaotic. But this time, it was surprisingly smooth. When I arrived at the Achsan Kol facility, I was impressed: tidy, quiet, professional. Not some makeshift warehouse, but more like a small logistics hub.
I signed the contract on the spot, paid (no hidden costs), received my own locked storage unit, and began unloading. The movers were efficient and professional. Within two hours, my entire home was neatly stored, wrapped, organized, and locked away.
For the first time in weeks, I could breathe.
The Price Tag - And Why It Made Sense
I had feared it would be expensive. But for a short-term solution, it was surprisingly affordable. Pricing was based on volume - around 40-50 NIS per cubic meter per month. For my three-room apartment, the total came to about 900 NIS a month.
But the value was clear: my belongings were safe from moisture, damage, or loss. The alternative? Storing things with family, leaving items on the street, or renting an apartment just for the boxes. None of those made sense.
What I Needed - And What I Got
What I was looking for was peace of mind:
● That nothing would be thrown out by mistake
● That no one would open my boxes
● That prices would not suddenly rise
● That my furniture would remain in good condition
What I received was exactly that: fair treatment, an organized space, complete transparency, and easy access.
I also learned that if you suddenly need something, you can access your unit with prior coordination. This is not a fortress guarded by soldiers, but a practical, everyday solution for real life.
Picking Everything Up Again
The final stage was the most surprising. After a month and a half, when my new apartment was ready, I returned with movers. I opened the unit - and everything was exactly as I had left it. No musty smell, no signs of dampness. It felt like a private home storage room.
The movers loaded everything onto the truck without me saying a word. And most importantly - everything arrived without a single scratch.
Who Should Consider Storage?
To put it simply, storage is an excellent solution if:
● You are between apartments
● Moving abroad
● Undergoing major renovations
● Moving in with a partner and need time to sort belongings
● Spending a temporary period without a permanent home
● Or simply do not want to sell valuable items and regret it later
Why Doesn’t Everyone Use It?
Many people think storage is complicated, too expensive, or unnecessary in a small country like Israel. What I discovered is the opposite: it is one of the easiest, most practical solutions for anyone in transition.
Life rarely waits for you. But when it does pause unexpectedly, knowing you have a safe place for your belongings is invaluable. It gives you a sense of control - a gift during times of uncertainty.
A Word of Advice
If you are facing a period without a permanent home, start with one phone call. Ask questions, understand your storage volume. Do not risk makeshift facilities in a shed with a tin roof. Choose a reputable provider - one with experience and accountability.
And most importantly, work with people who treat you like a person, not a case number.
Life can get messy. It happens to all of us. But if there is a way to put that chaos safely into storage - even temporarily - and gain back some peace of mind, why not?
I did it. And it completely changed the way I experienced my move.
