Jeffrey Miller lost his job as an e-commerce manager at International Business Machines Corp. in March. But even though the local job market hasn't provided many opportunities in his profession, the 41-year-old New Yorker can't imagine leaving the region.

Mr. Miller has applied for more than 350 jobs since the beginning of the year, he says, 90% of them in New York and the others flexible about location. Right now it seems unlikely that he will find a job based in New York soon, so he plans to live off his savings for a while -- and then consider moving.

"I am your typical Manhattan snob," Mr. Miller says. "People have told me to move out of the city to find work, but I don't want to leave. At the end of the year, though, I might not have a choice."

Despite signs of an improving job market, it's still tough for many people to find a position. If you've been unsuccessfully looking for work in just one city or region, when do you decide it's time to try your luck elsewhere?

Damian Birkel, executive director of the Professionals in Transition Support Group, a Winston-Salem, N.C., job-support organization, says professionals should consider relocating throughout their job campaigns. "You may not ever do it," he says, "but it gives you the chance to pursue opportunities that you wouldn't have looked at because you have geographically restricted yourself."

Of course, a single person with few responsibilities can be a little more flexible, taking a chance on a new world on a whim. But those with spouses, children or other responsibilities need to consider a host of factors.

"Moving definitely cannot be a rash decision," says Lauren Mackler, a corporate consultant and personal coach in Newton, Mass. "People often get desperate and afraid when they can't find a job. When that decision is driven by fear, the next thing you know, the person has moved to a place where they're miserable."

Many career coaches say relocating to a new city without a job is probably a bad decision, unless the job seeker doesn't have any other choice. If you have a position lined up, then at least you have a clear direction to boost your confidence. If not, "the lack of direction will lead to more doubts and fears," says Michael Robinson, a career coach in Los Gatos, Calif.

Deciding to move also depends on your professional goals. If you're intent on progressing in a specific career, and you're in an environment that isn't allowing you to expand your skills, it might be time to pick up and look for a job elsewhere. For those who aren't aggressively climbing the career ladder, however, leaving might not be necessary, says John O'Connor, a Raleigh, N.C., career coach.

Once you decide to leave, it's important to do a careful assessment of your intended relocation site. Professional organizations can help you find members in the new region with whom you can discuss the opportunities available there. Once you've established a base of contacts, it's time to invest time and money in a trip to meet with as many people as possible, suggests Lori Davila, an Atlanta career coach.

Finally, some career coaches suggest that the new hire with a family avoid putting everyone through a full-fledged relocation until the job checks out. Such a "lite move" can mean getting a small studio apartment for a time. The coaches say that within six months you can usually tell whether the job is going to work out.