We recently moved from Oklahoma to Washington state. I have a dinosaur cell phone, five years old, digital, no camera, no internet...but it's all I need. We're retired and have no kids or other relatives to keep track of. I never came close to my minutes limit in OKC. I want a cell phone for emergencies and an occasional call when I'm away from home. Our current house location is well-known in the area for getting poor reception.

No matter whether I change companies or not, I have to buy a new phone before I can change to a local number. (current phone cost 1-cent). So my dilemma: do I 1) Buy a new phone and more expensive service so I can have a local number or 2) Keep the existing phone and service (approx $35/month) and pay 65 cents/minute roaming every time I make a call?

I can figure it out mathmatically but are there any other factors I need to consider? Thanks.

You dont necissarily have to get a more expensive plan just because you get a new fancy phone.
Cingular has service for 39.99/month for 450anytime, 5000nights/wkd unlimited mobile to mobile.-Just because your phone is internet capable doens't mean u have to sign up for the service

OR Get a prepaid or pay as you go plan
Cingular has one for 10c/min
as does verizon.

the only catch to the prepaid plans is that you are required to deposit a certain amount per month or per some time limit so that the account does not go inactive and become cancelled.

for verizon it is:
$15 for 30 days
$30 for 60
$75 for 90
150 and above for 120 days

For your situation a prepaid plan sounds the best to me.

In my experience on the east coast verizon has the best service, though i have heard good things about cingular out there.
-Chris