My wife and I live in Arizona but REALLY want to move to the northeast coast, anywhere between Virginia up to New Hampshire that's within no more than an hours drive from the ocean. I'm an IT professional and she's a stay-at-home-mom for our two babies. I have a decent job here but unfortunately that's about it. We are just not happy here and really want this move. Since I'm looking in such a broad geographic area I have found a ton of jobs that would work perfect for me that I am fully qualified for but when I apply online for them I never get return e-mails or calls. I'm thinking it may be in part because I currently live so far away. I have made it clear I am completely willing and interested in relocating. We don't currently have any family or friends out on the east coast at all so that rules out getting help that way. This just seems like such a huge task. How do I make this all happen. Can anyone offer any advice?

Do you personalize your cover letters, even if it means some little lies? You have a move to their area in the works because (you are buying a boat, inlaws are there, you lived there when you were 10, etc) and also you are very much interested in what their company (sells, produces, is researching) and why. You NEED a job before you move in this economy! You NEED to know that you can sell your house! And keep in mind that oil is about 3.30 a gallon in the northeast, and many properties even semi-near the ocean are still expensive.
Another thing you can do is make it clear that you are paying all your moving expenses.

You need to "personalize" your job search. First, go to the public library and ask for help finding all their "moving to" information for that area. That would include the names of newspapers and the names of large companies and institutions that hire IT professionals. Check job ads and apply. (You probably want to secure a job first, and then move to that area, rather than move somewhere and hope to find a job.)

The library has books and other useful helps when it comes time to finding out about a particular area as to housing costs, food prices, schools, churches, etc.

If you need resume and cover letter help, we'd be glad to give you examples of good ones.