Forward Storage operates in Chili, NY — in the western Rochester suburbs, convenient to Roberts Wesleyan University, the I-490 corridor, Henrietta, Brockport, and the broader Monroe County / Genesee Valley market. We’re a modern, climate-controlled, online-rental alternative in a market historically dominated by older facilities and the national chains concentrated in Rochester proper.
This guide covers our Chili property, what western NY renters most often need from self-storage, pricing context, and how to decide whether self-storage is the right move for your situation.
Forward Storage’s New York footprint
| Property | Address | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Forward Storage Chili | 1 Boon Dr, North Chili, NY 14514 | Roberts Wesleyan University students, western Rochester suburb residents, Henrietta/Brockport commuters, snowbirds heading south for winter, optics/imaging workforce in transition |
Who stores with us in New York
Roberts Wesleyan University students. Roberts Wesleyan is right in North Chili — walking distance from our facility. Students need summer storage for dorm contents, between-apartment storage during the school year, and year-round storage for those studying abroad or graduating but staying in the area for grad school. A 5×10 holds a single dorm room comfortably; a 10×10 covers most off-campus apartments.
Rochester area downsizers. Monroe County has one of the highest concentrations of retirement-age homeowners in upstate NY. Families moving from larger suburban homes into condos, assisted living, or out-of-state retirement destinations use storage during the months-long transition. Climate-controlled units protect family photos, wood furniture, and books — essential given Rochester’s humid summers and freezing winters.
Snowbirds. Rochester sends a substantial seasonal-migration population to Florida, Arizona, and the Carolinas each winter. Households leaving in October-November and returning April-May need 5-6 month storage for vehicles, boats, RVs, and weather-sensitive belongings. Our drive-up access for vehicle storage and remote account management fit this pattern.
Rochester’s optics and imaging workforce. The Rochester area has historic concentration in optics, imaging, and photonics (Kodak heritage; current companies include Bausch + Lomb, ITT/Harris, Optimax, plus a growing photonics startup cluster around the University of Rochester). Engineers, technicians, and management relocate between Rochester and other tech centers regularly — temporary storage during corporate moves is a frequent use case.
Healthcare workers in transition. UR Medicine, Strong Memorial Hospital, and the broader Rochester medical district employ tens of thousands. Medical professionals (residents, nurses, allied health) rotate between rotations, hospitals, and cities; transitional storage during these moves is a common need.
Henrietta and Brockport corridor residents. These western suburbs have limited local storage options. Our Chili location is convenient for both via I-490 / I-90 — typically 15-20 minutes from most of either community.
New York self-storage market context
The Rochester self-storage market has a few characteristics worth knowing:
- Concentrated in Rochester proper: Most national chains (Public Storage, Extra Space, CubeSmart, Life Storage) cluster in Rochester city limits and the eastern suburbs (Pittsford, Penfield, Webster). Western suburbs like Chili, North Chili, Spencerport, and Brockport have less corporate-chain coverage.
- Older facility stock: Many western NY storage facilities were built in the 1980s and 1990s. Climate-controlled inventory was less common in older builds; modern customers expect it.
- Climate matters more than people realize: Rochester gets significant snowfall, single-digit winter temps, and humid 85°F+ summers. The freeze-thaw cycles + humidity combination is particularly hard on wood furniture, books, leather, and electronics over 6+ months of storage.
Our positioning:
- Modern online rental — full reservation, payment, gate code, and move-in without entering an office
- Climate-controlled inventory essential for Rochester’s seasonal extremes
- Month-to-month flexibility with no annual contracts
- Independent operator service — direct line to the property manager
- Roberts Wesleyan / western suburb convenience for a market underserved by national chains
Pricing in the Rochester area runs slightly above the national average due to upstate NY’s cost structure. A 10×10 standard unit typically rents [current pricing] at major operators; climate-controlled adds 20-30%. Our promotional pricing ([current new-customer promotion], plus 10% military) typically brings first-quarter cost competitive with the cheapest local options.
New York — frequently asked questions
Where in New York is Forward Storage?
Chili, NY — specifically North Chili, in Monroe County’s western suburbs. Address is 1 Boon Dr, North Chili, NY 14514. About 15 minutes west of downtown Rochester via I-490.
Is Forward Storage convenient to Roberts Wesleyan University?
Yes — Roberts Wesleyan’s main campus is in North Chili, very close to our facility. Walking distance for many on-campus students.
Is climate-controlled storage necessary in Rochester?
For wood furniture, leather, books, instruments, electronics, photos, and instruments — yes. Rochester winters drop below 10°F regularly, summers reach 85°F+ with high humidity, and the freeze-thaw cycles in particular damage wood and finishes over a winter+summer cycle. Climate control is worth the 20-30% premium.
How much does a 10×10 storage unit cost in the Rochester area?
Roughly [current pricing] at standard pricing; add 20-30% for climate-controlled. Our standard promo of [current new-customer promotion] drops the effective first-quarter rate substantially.
Do you offer snowbird-friendly storage?
Yes — our month-to-month leases plus drive-up access make snowbird vehicle and seasonal-item storage straightforward. Reserve in October-November, manage remotely from FL/AZ during winter, return April-May. See our Snowbird Storage guide for the full workflow.
Is there outdoor vehicle or RV storage?
Drive-up storage units accommodate smaller watercraft, motorcycles, and vehicles. For larger RVs or boats, call us — availability varies by season.
Can I rent storage in New York without coming to the property first?
Yes — full online rental, payment, and gate code delivery. Common for students arriving from out of state or relocating workers who reserve before they arrive.
Phone numbers by location
- Forward Storage Chili — (585) 594-2666
Ready to compare?
Browse current unit availability and promotional pricing at Forward Storage Chili → or call (585) 594-2666.
If Chili isn’t convenient for you and you’re elsewhere in upstate NY, our Pennsylvania location (Forward Storage Hamlin, in the Poconos) may be your closest Forward Storage alternative for the western NY / NEPA market.