We operate Forward Storage Buford on Lake Lanier, so file this honestly: we have skin in the game. But comparison-shopping customers detect spin instantly — so we’re going to be straight about where competitors win and where we win. Pick what’s right for your situation.

TL;DR: pick by your priority

The Gwinnett County storage market

Gwinnett County has roughly 60-70 self-storage facilities across Buford, Sugar Hill, Lawrenceville, Suwanee, Duluth, and the surrounding I-85 corridor communities. The market reflects Gwinnett’s broader character: rapid population growth, mixed older-and-newer facility stock, and significant competition that keeps pricing reasonable.

The major operators:

• Public Storage — ~12 Gwinnett locations, strong central coverage in Buford and Lawrenceville
• Extra Space Storage — ~8 Gwinnett locations, newer Class A facilities
• CubeSmart — ~6 Gwinnett locations, mid-market positioning
• Life Storage — ~5 Gwinnett locations (now part of Extra Space)
• Forward Storage — 1 Buford location, Lake Lanier-adjacent
• Local independents — ~25-30 single-location operators

Forward Storage Buford specifics

Address: 1549 Buford Dam Rd, Buford, GA 30518 (off Buford Hwy near Lake Lanier)

Best for: Lake Lanier-adjacent renters, boat/RV seasonal storage, north Gwinnett residents (Buford, Sugar Hill, Cumming), downsizers, contractors, and military families from Fort Gillem alumni / GA Army National Guard who need north-metro Atlanta storage.

What we offer:

• Climate-controlled and standard units
• Drive-up access for vehicle/boat storage
• Boat and RV storage availability (uncommon at major chains)
• Month-to-month leases with no contracts
• 50% off first 2 months for new customers
• Additional 15% off first 3 months for military

Where we are: North Gwinnett, convenient to Buford, Sugar Hill, Cumming, and the broader Lake Lanier-adjacent communities. Less convenient if you’re in Lawrenceville, Duluth, or Snellville.

Tour Forward Storage Buford →

Forward Storage Buford vs Public Storage Gwinnett

Where Public Storage wins

• Coverage: ~12 locations across Gwinnett vs. our 1. If you’re in central Lawrenceville, Snellville, or Duluth, Public Storage has closer options.
• Brand familiarity: People recognize the name.
• Climate-controlled small unit variety: Their Lawrenceville and Sugar Hill properties typically have wider 5×5 and 5×10 climate-controlled selection.

Where Forward Storage Buford wins

• Lake Lanier boat/RV storage: Public Storage Gwinnett locations are mostly residential — limited boat or RV space. Forward Storage Buford specifically caters to lake-adjacent renters who need seasonal watercraft storage.
• Pricing: Our promo (50% off first 2 months) beats Public Storage’s typical $1-first-month with restrictions on net first-quarter cost.
• Military discount stacking: Our 15% military discount on first 3 months is more aggressive than Public Storage’s standard military pricing.
• Independent operator service: Direct line to property manager vs. corporate call center.
• Buford / Sugar Hill convenience: If you’re in north Gwinnett, we’re often the closest quality option.

Pricing (approximate, varies by current promos)

Forward Storage Buford vs Extra Space Gwinnett

Where Extra Space wins

• Coverage: ~8 Gwinnett locations vs. our 1
• Newer facilities: Extra Space has the newest, slickest Gwinnett facilities — wider drive aisles, better climate control infrastructure, modern security systems
• Best mobile app: Their app is industry-leading for rental, payment, and access management
• Bigger climate-controlled inventory at certain unit sizes

Where Forward Storage Buford wins

• Pricing: Extra Space’s premium product comes at 15-25% higher cost than our equivalent units
• Lake Lanier boat/RV space: We specifically offer this; most Extra Space Gwinnett locations don’t have outdoor vehicle/boat storage
• Promo aggressiveness: Our 50% off first 2 months + 15% military typically beats Extra Space’s promos on first-quarter cost
• Independent operator service: Direct property manager line vs. corporate

Pricing (approximate)

Forward Storage Buford vs CubeSmart Gwinnett

CubeSmart Gwinnett locations cluster in Lawrenceville and Duluth — generally not super convenient to Buford, Sugar Hill, or Cumming. For north Gwinnett residents, the convenience usually goes to Forward Storage.

Where CubeSmart wins: Lawrenceville/Duluth coverage if that’s where you live; competitive standard pricing.

Where Forward Storage Buford wins: North Gwinnett convenience; Lake Lanier boat/RV storage; military-friendly pricing; promo aggressiveness.

The pricing on rack rates is very close (within 5-10%); the promotional pricing favors Forward Storage in the first quarter.

Local independent operators in Gwinnett

Gwinnett has 25-30 local independent storage operators. Quality varies dramatically:

Pros of going local: Sometimes meaningfully cheaper than national chains. Often family-run with personal service.

Cons: Inconsistent facility quality (some are very old). Variable customer service. Often lack climate control or modern security. May lock you into longer lease terms.

Recommendation: Worth shopping if you find one within 10 minutes of your home with strong recent Google reviews. Visit before signing. Verify advertised unit size with a tape measure (some local operators advertise dimensions that don’t match actual unit size).

Decision framework

Pick Forward Storage Buford if:

• You live in Buford, Sugar Hill, Cumming, or northern Gwinnett
• You need boat/RV/outdoor vehicle storage near Lake Lanier
• You’re military or veteran (promo stacking matters)
• You want competitive pricing with independent-operator service

Pick Public Storage if:

• You’re in central or southern Gwinnett (Lawrenceville, Snellville)
• You need very specific small climate-controlled units they have in stock
• Brand recognition matters to you

Pick Extra Space if:

• You want the newest, slickest facility experience and will pay 15-25% more for it
• You want the best mobile app for managing rental
• You’re in eastern or southern Gwinnett where they have more presence

Pick CubeSmart if:

• You’re in Lawrenceville or Duluth specifically
• You want mid-market value with national brand recognition

Pick a local independent if:

• You find one with strong recent Google reviews within 10 minutes of home
• Their pricing is dramatically below national chains
• You’re storing items that don’t need climate control

Honest tradeoffs

For north Gwinnett residents — Buford, Sugar Hill, Cumming, lake-adjacent — Forward Storage Buford is usually the right answer on combined factors (convenience, pricing, boat/RV availability, military-friendliness).

For central and southern Gwinnett — Lawrenceville, Snellville, Duluth — we’re often a 20-30 minute drive vs. closer options at Public Storage, CubeSmart, or Extra Space. The drive is worth it only if our specific advantages matter to you (boat/RV space, military discount, independent service).

Frequently asked questions

Where is Forward Storage Buford exactly?

1549 Buford Dam Rd, Buford, GA 30518 — off Buford Hwy near Lake Lanier. Convenient for Buford, Sugar Hill, Cumming, and lake-adjacent communities.

Do you offer outdoor boat storage near Lake Lanier?

Yes — drive-up outdoor storage spots accommodate boats, RVs, and seasonal vehicles. Pricing varies by spot size. Call for current availability.

Is Forward Storage Buford convenient from Atlanta?

About 45-55 minutes from downtown Atlanta depending on traffic and time of day. Not convenient for daily downtown Atlanta storage needs. For Atlanta-proper, Public Storage or Extra Space have much closer locations.

Are there discounts for military or first responders?

Yes — 15% off first 3 months with valid military ID. Discount stacks with our standard new-customer 50% off first 2 months. First responder discounts available; ask at signup.

How does Forward Storage compare on price?

Standard pricing comparable to CubeSmart, generally below Public Storage and meaningfully below Extra Space. Our promotional pricing (50% off first 2 months) creates significant first-quarter savings vs. all major chains.

What about U-Haul self-storage in Gwinnett?

U-Haul has some Gwinnett storage locations — they’re typically focused on short-term storage for moving customers rather than long-term residential storage. Quality varies. Forward Storage and the major chains generally offer a better long-term storage experience.

Ready to compare locations?

Forward Storage Buford — 1549 Buford Dam Rd →

Or call (770) 945-3594 for current promos.

If your closest Public Storage, CubeSmart, or Extra Space is much closer than us and you don’t need boat/RV storage or military pricing, consider them seriously. We’d rather you pick the right facility for your situation.

This guide is maintained by the Forward Storage team. Last updated: 2026-05-20.