Each situation is different you have to be able to judge that.
I lived in the remotest of spots and just used long weekends or holidays to meet and greet others. I'd plan massive round trips. Leaving at sun up arriving at sundown sunday night.
Used a combination of letters calls and the drop in. As people could see that i lived in the middle of nowhere they didn't expect me to be living on their door step.
Personally I couldn't afford to just leave.
Either way develp a relationship with the person you are trying to get a job with. Make sure you know their names and that they know yours. Make sure you don't annoy them though. Ask them "when should i touch base again?"