When I analyze storage markets, the first thing I look at is the crime rate in that area. For a long time, if I saw the crime rate was higher than the national average, I automatically passed on the deal.
Out of curiosity, I checked the crime rate in my own city today—and I was shocked to see it’s actually higher than both the state and national averages. Maybe I have lived in the bubble! I guess from now on, any market with a crime rate lower than 62 is going to look good to me!