From what I can gather, mobile phone contracts are more over there? We're going to be somewhere round West Chester, PA area - is there a network that has better coverage there?
I'm still in contract with my phone here, and I've spoken to my network and I can pay about £43 a month and keep my contract going, but be able to use my data, texts and minutes over there as part of my allowance. This would mean I can keep my number and also use it when back in the uk without any extra charges. It'll be cheaper for me to do that than pay to get out my contract. I'm just checking out the t's&c's to make sure there's not a limit on overseas usage. Has anyone done this? Kept their UK contract but use their phone over there on the UK plan? £43 is a lot, but if I can call/text to US and UK numbers and not be charged extra its worth doing. How does that price compare? I currently get unlimited calls and texts and 4gb data (although I think that increases if I upgrade my plan)

How long are you moving to the US for? I see your other thread says 2 years? I don't know of anyone who's kept their UK phone when they move abroad.

You'll find it difficult to sign up for things over here with an overseas phone number, most require a US number to sign up for products/accounts.

Verizon and AT&T are the big players, there are cheaper networks but you get what you pay for. You're better off getting a US number with a pay as you go rate. AT&T offer a basic one for $30 a month, just use your own unlocked phone.

Keeping the UK number is a non-starter in my opinion. I recently had to bite the bullet and pay £1,600 to cancel two UK phone contracts that only started in December (about a week before first discussions of US move began). This way we could get our handsets unlocked and not have to buy new iPhones in US.

I went with T-Mobile once we arrived but we had to wait a few weeks until SSN came though. I'm in Boston and so far covered as been perfect. We pay $100 for two unlimited usage (data, texts and calls) contracts. I would recommend it.

OP check very carefully about the roaming charges but I think your idea is not a bad one at all if it's going to cost you ££ to get out of your contract.

Once you arrive, you can sign up for a US gmail account and get a US phone number for free. You install the app on your phone and then anyone can call you on that number whilst using just data. You can still use this number when outside the USA as well.

Otherwise, unlock your phones if you can and bring them with you. If you get a t-mobile PRE-PAID account then you don't need an SSN at all. This prepaid service is about the same cost as a normal post-paid account and operates the same way. International calling costs $15 a month on top of the plan amount. You should be able to go into a t-mobile shop, tell them you want a pre-paid, no credit check plan, sign up and walk out with a working sim in 30 minutes.

ETA you will need to check out google voice.. sorry, I didn't mention that one before.

Project Fi by Google

those phones are really expensive.

And at least the European pixel is incompatible with the network.

and reddit is full of people not happy with the numbers/billing etc.

I brought my iPhone over from England and use an AT&T GoPhone SIM (they just rebranded it, but not sure what they calling it now). It's their pay-as-you-go service. Basically I get unlimited calls, texts and 3Gb data for $40/month with AutoPay. More expensive than UK, but less than contract plans.

AT&T have good service around West Chester too. I've never had an issue with my phone.

Yes 2 years. My current contact runs out next April

My contract runs out in April and my husband is already out of contract. He's already working over there and has applied for his SSN. I'll look into t-mobile

Thanks for this. When I spoke with them, they said there wouldn't be any extra charges but I want to see it in writing first! That could be an option, keeping my number and getting a US one through US gmail account. I'll also look into t-mobile

Thanks. Il look into that too

When you get here, go to BestBuy and buy an H2O sim, $25-$30 a month , unlimited data, text and calls, plus includes calls back to the UK.

Slightly off topic, my wife's friend is receiving my wife's texts multiple times on occasions. Last one was repeated 27 times. This only happens to a few people and not on every message. Has anyone else experienced this problem?