Phone services are in flux in America. Cellular phone use has increased so much that some people are moving towards getting rid of the old fashioned type of "in home" phone line (also known as a land line) altogether. Service providers for 'land lines' and cellular phone companies differ. It is possible to have an international cellular phone line that you keep when you relocate. If you use a 'standard land line' then you will use the main local utility and you will also have a choice regarding your long distance service provider.

The emergency telephone number is 911 - be prepared to give the address you are calling from.

The telephone operator number is 0.

Telephone number information from the telephone service: for local and national numbers - 1411, for 1-800 numbers - 1 800 555 1212

Post/mail

You will automatically have postal service as soon as you rent or own a residence. If you want to, you can get a post office box instead of or in addition to having residential service.

Current postal fees are $0.37 per 1oz. or less in an envelope within the country. It costs a great deal more once mail goes international; however, it may only require two or three stamps if it's within North America. There are postal offices in nearly every town. The postal service and all the mail traveling within it are protected by federal law for privacy and service. To interfere with proper postal delivery is a federal crime. Generally speaking, it is a very reliable, safe service.