What smart phone is right for me ? [iphone vs droid, other suggestions?]?

[~Knut~Is~Cute~]

I'm a college student getting ready to go off to school 900 miles away. I plan on using my smartphone for pretty basic actions... Texting, pics, scheduling, facebook, etc. as well as more complex actions like GPS. (I've never lived on the East Coast before, it would be nice to have something really reliable in this respect.)

So what it all comes down to for me: Reliability, coverage, battery life, and cost long term. [Any info on free texting apps / internet costs?]

Thanks in advance!
Incidentally, I will be going to school in Western Massachusetts if that makes any difference. (College town, lots of forests and mountains nearby.)