Urgent help needed - Leave of absence or Layoff

I am moving within California. The two cities are 500 miles apart. Which of the following ways are better?

1. Take leave of absence and look for a job in the new city. If I cannot find a job within 2-3 months, my employer will lay me off. The cons is that I cannot claim unemployment benefit until I am laid off. The Pros is that it might be easier to get a new job if I stayed employed, although inactive. However, I don't know how soon I will get a job. Also due to the relocation, I doubt whether the new employer would care about "leave of abscence" vs. "laid off".

2. laid off. In this case it may hurt to get a new job when I interview.

3. Do not claim unemployment benfit. Just say quit due to family relocation. But it seems stupid to forgo $$$.

Thanks in advance for the input.