Socks invading the dresser from outside? Suitcases piled high in the shower? Eventually everyone runs across that wall. Lai Chi Kok then steps in, bursting with convenient storage options—about as many as hawker stalls during lunch hour. Wander around and you will see advertising for anything from cool, high-tech warehouse apartments to bite-sized lockers. The numbers can cause one to get lost.

Let’s talk boxes and limits; space is the storage game’s lemonade stand. While some units could almost fit a dragon boat, others compress you tighter than a minibus in peak hour. Stop and consider: Are you storing dusty remnants from your weekend market business or treasure maps only readable under a full moon? What fits in one spot may be completely lost in another.

Everyone hollers about security now, but what does that really guarantee? While some storage areas rely on computerized locks and motion sensors to create Fort Knox, others hope for the best based on a rusted padlock. Get nosy—don’t hold back when you grill them. Is the night guard not only a myth? After hours are doors under observation? Double-check these information if you believe it unacceptable that your signed baseball would find a midnight adopter.

The humid summers of Hong Kong damage more than just your hair style. Nothing more than a dark, closed enclosure appeals to humidity. Your comics and early memories might be destroyed by mildew more quickly than you could pronounce “air-con surcharge” without dry air. Look for units with actual climate control, particularly if you are storing anything that wilts.

Money is limited, and nobody wants to pay outrageous rent in order to keep damaged toasters. Price tags flash, but pay close attention to the fine print; those “limited-time” deals can disappear and be replaced by required “administrative” fees or cleaning costs. After the first month, a cheap-looking item could turn out to be costly. Remember also about deposits and complicated lock-in agreements.

You would be startled by the somewhat different facilities. Some gleam with carts, elevators, and happy lighting. Others have you heave boxes up stairs while the fluorescent buzz flickers over head. Essential for night owls, midnight access is useless for early birds. Review your own behaviors before choosing.

Moreover, never undervalue location. Pulling garbage down a back alley? Every time you’ll start to fume. Out of the MTR, walk straight to your apartment. That is a victory, rain or otherwise. Parking close by is a godsend if your trunk feels like a cement sack.

Talk to neighbors if at all possible. Chitchat. They will talk about the fabled rat that chews through everything or about crumbling ceilings. Stories from the grapevine often count more than well crafted flyers.

Every square foot in this bit of the city is valuable. Get a place that makes sense. Go for utility rather than only glitzy promises. And even better if you find a decent chuckle or two along the road. Saving your tale should be as hassle-free as feasible.