To answer your question about picking out what area to live in...
we are in the same situation as you...there really is no good area that is in between both our jobs either. I will have about a 50 minute commute. I have the same commute time now but in the opposite direction with more traffic/city driving so I will like my new commute better. We focused on our search on looking in areas that are less than 10 minutes from the interstate (the easiest commute for me). Right now my FI lives about 3 minutes from his work (lucky!) but our new place will be about 25-30 minute drive for him. It was the best we could do!
Once I get my certification (I do medical billing and coding) later this year I will start looking for a job in my new town!
Good luck with your search!