secure hotel room while away.

[CodeCobalt]

Moved to a new area and having trouble finding an apartment close to work until I can buy a car. So my only real option is to rent a hotel room for a few months (good monthly rates, cheaper than the apartments, and it's just me, so I don't need much space.) While the hotel I'm thinking of is only a few blocks from my work it's not in the best area. And since my work schedule is rather constant it wouldn't take long for others to figure out when I'm away.

While I don't own much, it is all that I have, and I would be heartbroken if it was stolen. I already plan on getting renters insurance and maybe locks to secure my electronics, but that could still leave me without for months.

Does anyone know of any products out there that allow you to secure a room/house from the outside? I can't change or add locks. I know the hotel owner will get upset if I lock them out of their own property, but considering how many people have access, this would give me much more piece of mind. I'd be willing to let them in to check on the condition any time I'm there.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Tweak155]

Your better bet is to just find an apartment ASAP.

 

[alangrift]

You can get home owners insurance on a hotel?

 

[Scarpozzi]

Maybe you can box your stuff up and store it at a friend's house. Laptops and other portable electronics should go in your car's trunk out of sight. It'll be covered by auto insurance.

 

[jaedaliu]

Maybe you can box your stuff up and store it at a friend's house. Laptops and other portable electronics should go in your car's trunk out of sight. It'll be covered by auto insurance.

This is probably the way to go. Rent a small storage space for your stuff. You don't need much of your own stuff to be living out of a hotel, and the cost is cheap. Just need to convince one of your new coworkers to help you move it. A few bucks for a slice and a beer afterwards should be enough compensation.

 

[rudeguy]

why is it going to take months to buy a car?



BTW: Welcome to AT!

 

[lxskllr]

Put an alligator in the room.

 

[Jeeebus]

Why do I get the feeling that 'someone else,' as their first post, will find this thread with a link to a nifty product that does EXACTLY what this guy is looking for?

 

[Tweak155]

Why do I get the feeling that 'someone else,' as their first post, will find this thread with a link to a nifty product that does EXACTLY what this guy is looking for?

This is what I'm waiting for. However, in case they ARE serious, I put a semi-serious response.

 

[Jimzz]

Check craigslist and other forums for local rooms to rent. Might find a close one and be more secure.

 

[mmntech]

Check craigslist and other forums for local rooms to rent. Might find a close one and be more secure.

This. You could also rent a storage locker in a secure building.

 

[Legios]

You must reverse the peephole, and put everything you own in the center of the room, that will let everyone know what they could potentially get. If you look poor enough they should leave you alone.

 

[rudeguy]

This. You could also rent a storage locker in a secure building.

I don't think living in one of those lockers would be a good plan.

 

[weadjust]

Laptops and other portable electronics should go in your car's trunk out of sight. It'll be covered by auto insurance.

Auto insurance does not cover personal property.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I don't think living in one of those lockers would be a good plan.

It was good enough for Bender.

Auto insurance does not cover personal property.

Ahh...you're right. I think it still may be safer in the trunk of a car than in some of those pay-by-the-week hotels. Just get a car alarm as a $100-200 deterrent.

 

[CodeCobalt]

It'll take months to buy a car because I'm somewhat new to the area, still young, and spent most of my money on moving across the country. I have a good full time job making more than most people I know my age. I moved cross country on a plane to take care of an ailing parent so I wasn't able to bring my furnishings and have been sleeping on their couch. First priority is to get an apartment where I can feel secure about my belongings, but I'll also need money for some basic furnishings like a mattress. Then after that i'll have to save for 1-2 months to put a good down payment on a car or buy a reliable used car.

Other than sentimental items that wouldn't interest anyone else the only valuables I have are my TV, ps3 and laptop. I'm hoping there's a good way to secure them in the hotel as I would hate to leave them at my fathers since the ps3 and laptop connect me with friends back east and provide entertainment. Just nervous because one person could walk out with all of my valuables in one trip.

I believe you can get renters insurance on a motel room if it is your actual residence. If you're just staying a few nights you would need travellers insurance.

I am also looking on craigslist for a roommate, but I think finding somebody who lives within walking distance to work is unlikely. And since the weather is in the single digits, a reasonable walking distance is key.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Buy a small portable safe, put a bunch of random crap in it, perhaps rig some cans of spray foam to all go off at once if it's opened. Hide your good stuff around the room so it's not right in line of sight. If someone happens to break in, they'll see the safe, figure it has valuable stuff, and run off with it. It will be too big for them to carry anything else.

They'll get home, pry it open, and find themselves with spray foam spraying all over them and their house. That stuff is Impossible to fully clean off a surface.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I don't think living in one of those lockers would be a good plan.

Some provide a 15a power outlet to run a dehumidifier (in case you have a huge pile of cash to protect from getting moldy), it could totally work!

Plug in a mini bar fridge, a microwave, and a heater and you're set. Might have to tape foam insulation on the walls though, I don't think those are well insulated.

 

[Via]

What are you scared of losing? How much space does it take up?

 

[CodeCobalt]

40" flat panel tv, ps3, and a 15" laptop. nothing too grand, but could totally be carried away in one trip and attract attention while moving it in. I can probably leave the TV at a friends but since the hotel will have one of its own, but I'd like to keep the ps3 and laptop. Hell, I can probably even take the laptop with me to work or where ever when I leave, so just the ps3. putting it under a mattress or something wouldn't work because its fragile and the maids would still probably find it.

I know none of this is ideal but I don't have many options for the next 1-2 months. It's looking like I may just have to take the risk or keep my stuff somewhere else. There's tons of ways to secure a door from the inside but nothing I can find to do so from the outside.

 

[Via]

How much cash do you have to your name, and what's your monthly income?

 

[CodeCobalt]

Too personal to post. to my name not enough for first, last/security deposit, and basic furnishings. income lower middle class.

 

[Via]

Sorry - didn't mean to pry. I was just wondering if you were self-insured.

 

[Meghan54]

You're kinda screwed given your current living arrangements. I'd look into some sort of insurance to cover your personal items.

On the other hand, get a dog. Most burglars are opportunists and the presence of a dog on the other side of the door will deter most, if not all. Of course, the hotel may not allow the dog, but they do work rather well as a first line deterrent/defense.

 

[gorcorps]

40" flat panel tv, ps3, and a 15" laptop. nothing too grand, but could totally be carried away in one trip and attract attention while moving it in. I can probably leave the TV at a friends but since the hotel will have one of its own, but I'd like to keep the ps3 and laptop. Hell, I can probably even take the laptop with me to work or where ever when I leave, so just the ps3. putting it under a mattress or something wouldn't work because its fragile and the maids would still probably find it.

I know none of this is ideal but I don't have many options for the next 1-2 months. It's looking like I may just have to take the risk or keep my stuff somewhere else. There's tons of ways to secure a door from the inside but nothing I can find to do so from the outside.

I would suggest you do those things you brought up and only have your ps3 there. At that point it's not worth worrying about and I highly doubt anybody would take an entire console. Too easy to get caught and lose the job that they need.