I've been searching all over and can't find a straight answer, so here's my question:

Right now I'm in Canada and I'd like to purchase a cell phone (don't know which one/what plan right now), however I might be moving to the U.S. eventually. What happens then? Would I be able to transfer my monthly Canadian plan over to an affilate company in the U.S.? Or would it be best to just buy a phone here and use prepaid minutes, then when I move to the U.S. I can use that same phone with a U.S. provider, prepaid or monthly?

Like I said, I don't know what phone or what provider, but I just don't know how any of it works. I've been reading a lot about how phones are 'locked' and are identifiable by each provider, etc - this is where I get lost.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.