Getting a New ISP (Comcast/Verizon) - Arm me with knowledge pls

Networking
#1

This pains me so much. But soon I'll be moving, and with that, comes a new ISP.
I currently have RCN, and I'm relishing every last second I have. I pay $53/mo for 110 Down / 15 Up, no service fees, no mandatory equipment rentals, no rate increases, nothing. Same price, always. Consistent service. No bandwidth caps. Reliable internet. I'm aware that all of this is about to change.

The two companies servicing my new location are Verizon and Comcast. Comcast being the more affordable (on the surface) of the two.

I need opinions, I need stories, I need to know how to put up with the bullshit that I KNOW is in my future. Pls help me.
Should I pay for a VPN? Does Comcast really have bandwidth caps? Are there hidden fees? Do I have to go to war to use my own equipment? What's the best value compatible modem (DOCSIS or whatever the fuck). I'm a computer guy, but by no means a networking/ISP guy. I need teh knowledge pls. Halp.

#2

I haven't used Version but I've been using Comcast for about 6 six years now. Mostly in Texas but now in Alabama for the last 4 months. I was getting about 125/15 in Texas for about $85/mo. Now I have a 150/20 package in Alabama for $99/mo. I usually get between 110 - 125 on it though with my VPN on. Comcast doesn't have data caps in Texas, at least in the Houston. Alabama does have a data cap but they have all been increase to 1TB/mo company wide starting this month. I've always used my own equipment with Comcast with out any problems. I use a Motorola Surfboard DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem with a Pfsense router I built myself.