How far do you commute?

We're in the process of debating the issue of where to live now that I have completed my pilot training. Because my wife works at Heathrow I am hoping to get a job based either there of at Gatwick. Currently we live only 9 miles from Heathrow by car which takes 30 minutes if you're lazy and leave at 08.30 or 15-20 mins if you leave the house between 7.30 and 8am. By South East standards that's a very favourable commute.

However we both want to move further out in search of a nicer environment and perhaps cheaper house prices (we are both big countryside lovers and have no family in the South East). My wife is however worried about the impact of commuting on our lives - so the question is - how much of a commute is too much? Her work pattern is 9-5 with flexibility for 8-4 etc with 1 day per week worked from home. My work pattern as a pilot will be hugely variable with a lot of early starts - maybe a 6am report, finished by 1pm or blocks of 2,3 and 4 day trips with nightstops.

We have always loved the areas South of Guildford on the Downs - Chiddingfold, Haslemere, Ifold etc - but these are around 33 miles to 41 miles from Heathrow. I'd welcome views from others who have commuted similar distances on how it felt - we're keen to strike a balance between environment and time in the car! For what it's worth I'm a pretty keen driver and have just spent 18 months commuting to just North of Oxford daily from Surrey - 60 miles each way, so I suspect I would find 30-40 miles fine, it's my wife I worry about. I used the time to listen to the radio or music, admire the English countryside and generally relax so it was quite enjoyable.

Interested in views,

Jonathan