[JoMar]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

The term "area code" is a misnomer. It no longer indicates where the caller is located.

But it does indicate where you came from

[HeleneGB]

Most people keep their cell numbers from their previous states of residence.

[Diane F]

I kept my old one that I have had since I first got a cell phone, and from what I have seen, most people have done this too. That way you don't have to notify all your contacts of the change. We do not have a land line, but this hasn't been an issue either.

[kcrazorbackfan]

Originally Posted by MacScuba

We will not be getting a landline when move to TV permanently, but is it common to change the cellphone to a 352 area code? I kinda like the old one to show where I was from.

Nope to the changeover; my wife and I have the same consecutive numbers we’ve had for a loooooong time.

[RLWooly]

We cut the cord back in our old state & won’t be getting one here either. We’ll probably just stay with our mobile numbers as they are for the foreseeable future. The way technology is these days there’s no real advantage to switching to a local area code.

[oneclickplus]

Originally Posted by JoMar

But it does indicate where you came from

Actually, NO. Anyone can get a phone number with Google Voice (or other service) in any area code whatsoever.

I run a 2nd business where I wanted a "vanity" number like 1-800-mattress. The number I wanted was not available in my local area code so I just shopped Google Voice and found it in area code 720. I don't even know where that is. Never the less, I now have:

720-cat-luvr (example only)

and that has no bearing on where I'm from.

For anyone who wants to keep their old landline / home phone when moving, you have some choices these days:

1) transfer it to a cell phone. This works but is expensive especially if you already have a cell phone
2) use a VOIP service (I use callcentric.com) and transfer your number to them.

On callcentric, I have a couple of options. I can connect an internet phone adapter to my internet service and re-establish my old phone number in the Villages or anywhere with internet service. Using this option, I took my home number with me on a vacation to Costa Rica. Was able to make and receive calls on my number while away just like being at home. T-Mobile wanted $2.00/minute to make calls from Costa Rica

If you don't need dial-tone services (no need to make a call) for your old home number but don't want to miss calls to that number, just leave it on callcentric and have the number forwarded to your cell phone. It's only $1.99/month to have my old home number on callcentric.

Final note: worried about spam calls to your old home number. Callcentric provides a fantastic spam blocking feature. You can enable a feature whereby all callers have to press a number ("press 7 to be connected") in order for the call to complete. The number-to-press changes with each call. Never the less, as you can see, robot calls can't complete this task and you get absolutely zero robocalls.

Good luck

[riley2011]

I kept my old number.

[banjobob]

The only issue we have had was friends and contacts not answering an out state number, if you are not in their phone list they think you are a scam.

[gwenhwalker@yahoo.com]

I've had the same phone number for over 20 years.

[Domenick]

What happens if you need to call 911? Does the call go to a local dispatcher? Years ago this may have been an issue.

[B-flat]

Keep the old no need for a 352 area code.

[tvbound]

For the ease of relatives, friends and others we've accumulated numbers from over the years to contact us, we plan on keeping the same number that we've now had for decades. Especially since roaming charges, basically do not exist anymore in most places. In the early 90's, I was one of the few people who was assigned a cell phone by my company and the charges to 'check-in' while on vacation in Mexico, or even from other states, were outrageous - but no longer apply.

[yogajan]

We didn’t! Nobody pays for long distance calls anymore. Your junk calls will just come from your old state, instead of FL!

[Bill1701]

Originally Posted by LuvtheVillages

Most people keep their existing number. No need to change.

And, it is very difficult to get all your contacts to update your number on their phones.

That's exactly why I changed mine to a local number

[Girlcopper]

Originally Posted by New Englander

I changed mine and wish I didn't. I get 2-3 spam text's every day.

2-3? Serious? Thats nothing