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This may be a silly question, but if I move cross country do I need to get a new cell phone number? Is there an advantage to having a phone number from a local area code?
No you don't, that's the beauty of it. You may find a different provider gives you better coverage in your new place and you can port your number over if you want to switch. I don't see any benefit in having a local number unless you are running a local business and your cell phone is your contact point. People probably like seeing a familiar area code when they call.
I suppose it could be an issue with "local" people having to call your long distance phone number, but that really shouldn't be a problem for too many people, seems like most everyone has at least some free nationwide long distance or cell to cell now. I suppose if you have someone in particular or as has been said, if it's for business, you may want a new one with a "local" number. It's up to you though, there's nothing forcing you to switch.
Just depends, know many people that moved to Phoenix and have kept their cell phone numbers and it wasn't an issue. But when I moved to Idaho, I changed it quickly to make it easier to find a job.
Use to be... But Now, now one cares any more just about everyone has "Free" long distance calling. Many (Most?) area of NANP are now on 10 digit dialing now, so they have to dial the area code anyway (at least the 1st time till its in the contacts) .
Most of the phone number I call I don't even know where the area code is any more ...
The Metro Atlanta Area has 5 Area codes in a overlay. Many other areas are the same way.
Someone you know with a cell phone isn't physically punching in numbers, it's programmed in and they only need to push "call". Calling from a landline may be different. Only you know who/how/why anyone will be calling your phone and what you need.
You don't need to change, but if you want to change, your cell phone carrier should be able to assign you a new number from the local area. Your existing contacts will need to update their phones, but you will still have your existing phone with your contacts in it and can text them your new number so it's not that big a deal.
FWIW, I changed mine when I moved because for calls from my son's daycare or school, they were not using cell phones and didn't have unlimited long distance, so they preferred a local number. So you may want to think about who would be calling you and if there are reasons why a local number would be helpful esp. if you are using your cell as your primary or only phone.
Another option is to keep your current phone number and carrier as long as they have coverage in your new location. You can get a local number for your new location from google voice and have the calls forwarded to your current number. This way you have one phone with a local number for your previous location as well as the new location.
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