Public Storage Moving to Oklahoma City

The Organized Life

Public Storage Moving to Oklahoma City

Mar 31, 2023 / Alyssa Duranty

Moving to Oklahoma City? We are too! We recently acquired 11 properties in and around OKC, more than doubling the number of Public Storage locations available for scores of new residents heading to the Sooner State, as well as for current Oklahomans.

This week, we’re taking over most of Switzer’s Locker Rooms – storage sites named after famed former University of Oklahoma head coach Barry Switzer, a partner in the business. And we plan to keep his winning spirit alive by providing the best storage services around.

While we don’t have three college football championships under our belt, and we’re not in the College Football Hall of Fame, we do have more than 44 years of self storage experience nationwide. We think our success at serving customers at thousands of locations coast to coast is one of the reasons Switzer and the company chose us to take the reins at most of their locations.

And even though we turning the doors orange, like one local team’s colors, we promise we’re not taking sides in the area’s college football rivalry!

Whether you’re considering moving to Oklahoma City for work or play (perhaps both), here’s a couple reasons why we’re going deeper in the Great Plains.

Public Storage is Here to Help the People Moving to Oklahoma City

There are many reasons to love Oklahoma City and a lot of people are realizing it, including Public Storage Property Manager Brian Latreille, who will help oversee the new properties.

He and his family are part of the recent influx into the city that grew 9 percent over the last five years topping off at more than 630,000, according to U.S. Census data.

“The people are great here,”; he said. “They’re very nice, helpful and courteous. It’s got a Midwest feel.”;

And even though he’s hasn’t been there long, he’s already seen a large amount of growth and construction.

A lifelong resident and University of Oklahoma fan, Public Storage Property Manager Rose Kinnamon said scores of sky-high condo buildings and apartment complexes are being built in record numbers around the city.

“You can’t even get an apartment in the city,”; Kinnamon said. “The house prices are off the charts from even what they were five years ago.”;

In 2014, single-family homes permits had increased about 150 percent and cost more than an average of $50,000 more than five years earlier in Oklahoma City, according to City-Data.com.

But even with increased housing prices, Oklahoma City and nearby Tulsa are still considered two of the Top 10 Best Affordable Places to Live, according to the U.S. News and World Report.

Which is why many middle class families are flocking to the city in search for the simpler life.

The new people and city expansion has brought better parks, new businesses and fun attractions like white-water rafting and ziplining over the Oklahoma River, which both newbies and lifers like Kinnamon are loving.

“It’s really an exciting time in Oklahoma City,”; she said.

Because of the upturn in the housing market, many are turning to Public Storage locations in Oklahoma City while downsizing, transitioning or while waiting for their house to be built.

Some of the tens of thousands of area college students are also storing with us during summer vacation from Oklahoma State and the University of Oklahoma, which has the fifth most loyal college football fan base, according to the NCAA (thanks, Switzer!).

By adding an additional eight locations in the Oklahoma City area – Oklahoma City, Edmond, Moore, Mustang, Norman – and three in the nearby cities of Lawton and Broken Arrow, we’re planning to spread our top-quality service to the nearby newcomers, said Erik Svensson, Public Storage’s vice president of acquisitions.

“These properties are in great locations and were all built in the last 10 years,”; he said. “They have great access, visibility and serve growing communities.”;

We plan to develop the locations further by improving drainage in case of rainy weather, repaving paths and refining access for customers with disabilities.

Booming Tech Industries Fueling OKC Expansion

More than 27,000 jobs were created in greater metropolitan Oklahoma City over the last five years, according to the Greater Oklahoma City Economic Forecast, in part thanks to the growing number of tech, aerospace and high-end hospitals moving to Oklahoma City.

While the oil industry has previously supported the southern town, its recent downturn hasn’t swayed scores of people moving there. Nor should it, as Forbes Magazine named Oklahoma one of America’s recession-proof cities because of the low unemployment rates even during the hardest of economic times.

Approximately 12,000 jobs were added in the area last year despite the downturn in the oil industry.

Jobs at big companies include Boeing, Dell, Monroney Aeronautical Center, Integris Health and Hobby Lobby help support the community.

The Tinker Air Force Base – located at a former Railroad Company site in OKC – employs more than 24,000 people alone and shows how Oklahoma City has easily transformed its old-fashioned economic hubs into sites for future growth. Perhaps this economic diversity is bringing with it a strong and diverse arts and culture community.

The city stock yards and cattle supply industries are still going strong and ensuring a great steak at restaurants in town, but in contrast many restaurants also offer world-class plant-based alternatives. And OKC has a ballet, philharmonic and multiple museum options.

Between raising two young children and working at Public Storage, Property Manager Mckenzie Schull, who will be working at one of the newly acquired locations, takes advantage of all the city has to offer downtown – known as “Bricktown”; to the locals – to see live music and eat at new restaurants. She moved to town about four years ago and stayed because of the great schools and quality of life.

“I really love the city’s diversity,”; she said. “I grew up in a town where you saw the same people. Out here you get all different kinds of people. It’s really cool to see how different their cultures and languages are, and it’s awesome to learn from each other.”;

Southwest of Oklahoma City, in Lawton – where Public Storage is acquiring two new locations – Fort Sill Military Base is a strong employer as one of the largest and most active military bases in the country.

Looking to see if we’re already near you? You can easily search your area on the Public Storage website.

And come say hi to property managers Rose, Brian and McKenzie at one our new Oklahoma City area locations if you’re in the area!