Since the only carrier with decent coverage and that actually has 3G in this area as claimed is AT&T we were stuck with their selection, which doesn't have much if you want an android keyboard phone.
I went with a Motorola Flipside. It's a decent phone that I haven't had any problems with. Motorola also has a couple of apps on it that are very useful. Their UI isn't one of them however.

If I knew they'd eventually be annoucing the Motorola Atrix in a few months I might have waited, even though it's fully touch.
Ironically, now months later AT&T is sending me offers for a free Flipside upgrade. I guess they failed to notice I already upgraded.

. If anyone else gets that offer, it's not that bad of a phone, though the camera isn't very good.