I just use google voice. $20 to port and free from there on. Free call forwarding, free texts (via the app), and all calls I make from my phone automatically go thru my GV # (and from overseas I can make all calls from the GV app with original#)
It's been over 3 years now. Only issue is sometimes companies dont like the number because they see it's virtual, so then I'd use the actual number on my sim).