Now that you've identified the where, investigate the how. Many large bookstores or well-stocked newsstands have newspapers from other cities and countries. Read a few issues, or if you're really serious, subscribe. You'll learn about local news, plus the papers will include want ads with job openings, real estate information, and much more. Follow regional hiring trends in the locations you're considering. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov ) describes occupations in demand and where hiring is strongest, as well as salary information. Online resources include Morgan Quitno Press (www.morganquitno.com ), which rates cities and states by a variety of factors, such as safety and health. Also review corporate literature and Web sites in your top locations.

Use Your Contacts

Experts will tell you that most job openings aren't formally advertised, and that's why it's crucial to network. That same network of colleagues, friends, neighbors, mentors, and family can help you scope out a new location, too. If you belong to a church or national organization (Lions Club, Girl Scouts) or professional organizations (American Association of University Women, American Association of Museums), you can put those contacts to use in researching your new location. At the very least, such organizations give you a ready-made base of acquaintances. Beyond that, those associates all have resources, contacts, and information to share about their particular location.

Use Free Government Resources

There are many resources that will help you learn all you can about the region or community to which you are thinking about moving. Statistics on employment, housing, income, and much more — information that used to be available only by phone or mail — are now available on the Internet. Contact the local chamber of commerce (www.chamberofcommerce.com ) or U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov ).

Use Relocation Web Sites

Many of them have long quizzes that will provide you with a list of communities to suit your answers. There you'll find commentaries on the livability of various places around the world, as well as information about projects designed to make cities and small towns more people-friendly. Some, such as www.bestplaces.net, offer information about school districts, crime rates, cost of living, and housing, as well as candid opinions of different cities posted by people who live or have lived there. Some, such as www.escapeartist.com/expatriate/resources.htm, focus on what you need to know to live overseas.

Take a Vacation

If the location you're thinking about moving to is far away, exotic, and/or quite different from your current circumstances, consider going there for a visit before packing up and moving there.

Look Around

If you're visiting the new location for a job interview, schedule some other time to check out schools, neighborhoods, and cultural amenities. Sometimes just walking around a place can give you more information than any number of brochures or Web sites.

Take a Temporary Job

To make really sure that a permanent move will be right for you, you can test the waters by taking a temporary house-sitting or caretaking position and get to know the locals (www.caretaker.org ).

Remember, when you're trying to get the full picture of your own criteria for career satisfaction, physical location plays an important role.