To be quite honest I guess it depends on how many snakes you have and how you want to set things up.
Personally, I prefer keeping my snake in a viv...s/he's in our living room so she's adjusting nicely to the comings and goings of family friends and even the two German Shepherds who share this house with him/her. Doesn't seem to bother the snake one bit. I handle daily (unless s/he'd been fed) because I'd like her to be used to being handled and being very social.
I also like having him/her in a viv because it seems a bit more natural to me (snake will be moving to a fifty gallon soon). I want my snake to be able to have some room, some excercise (I think being stuck in a container might be a tad boring, but that's just me).
There are plenty of folks who keep in Sterlite containers, but I can't bring myself to do it. I'm no expert, and some people may offer you different advice, but in the end you're going to do what's best for you (and hopefully your snake(s) too)! If it isn't already obvious...I'd lean toward the viv! LOL!