<p>2blue,
We have a Verizon family plan. The first 2 people are covered under the plan cost and each extra line is $10 a month plus $10 more IF you opt for unlimited texting. Her area code is the same as our home one as long distance is free with the plan. Many of her friends have Verizon, so those calls don’t count against minutes. Each plan has certain people you can talk without counting against your minutes, so you should see which one would be the most beneficial for your situation. You used to only be able to buy a phone at a Verizon store, but I thought they changed that recently. I got my D a free (or very cheap) flip phone that came along with the plan. There was a 1 year commitment, a year long contract seems pretty difficult to avoid with any of the major carriers. </p>
<p>She has had very good luck with reception compared to friends, both in Ann Arbor and in Seattle this summer, we’ll have to see about NH.</p>
<p>My D never had a phone in HS, but uses hers a lot now. It is very nice to be able to contact her just about any time.</p>