Cell Phones & Plans (in Off-topic)

Moving into a new apartment. Expensive too, $1110 last over all estimate for expenses, since I let someone else pick. Not using a home phone so would like to know what cheap plans and phones thy CBers use. Hate cells while the little man is a walking cancer knoll. So battery life need make mentioned. Family plan preferable. Whole aim is for cheap with less surprises.
Know of a hand full of sites, but rather get a hands on from people who know better along with those links.

I'd highly recommend talking to people in the area you are in and see:
1. What plans they are on
2. What kinds of signals they get.
3. What phones they use and have used.
4. How they use their phones.

I'd also take into consideration whom you will be calling most. Most carriers now offer free calls to people using the same carrier.

I've personally been extremely happy with Sprint customer service, but their signal sucks if you get too far from the Interstate or big cities.

70% of the calls should be out of city/town if not from a dirt road 20 mins away from the interstate.
The local opinions are all mixed and predominately commercial seen phones and plans. Which tend to be complained over. No one has done much shopping. No one went so far to mention the Wal-mart pre-paid deal. Guess they've done as much shopping as me. The recommended sprint plan we had was not kind so we're hopefully not going to rely on local peer relations this time. No leading service in town as far as I know. Can see why I came here last.

Ok right now my family has a Verizon family plan for 4 people we pay about $160 a month. The service as far as i can tell is great, just recently i took a trip to Las Vegas and i live in Phoenix the signal only gave out once for about 10 miles before i was able to text again, and take in to consideration that between Phoenix and Las Vegas there is pretty much desert

A well noted plan with me. Trusted Verizon connections without being a user for years. Problem is I don't know who's going to pay and want to go lower if at all possible. I'll throw the V by the economists again tomorrow anyways.

I had a problem with Sprint ($80 bogus charge popped up on the phone bill) so I switched to Verizon, and it's been smooth sailing since then.

Cricket is great for the price but you'll have to check it's coverage area! Its great here but not so much for others.

For 55/mo i get unlimited minutes, txting and web use.

Check it out here mycricket.com