To the OP-I have to agree that Schlieren is the pits. It's ugly and industrial and seems far from the city without being pretty. I'd avoid it-the rents are cheaper for a reason.
Very simply put: Close to the trainstation and at the bottom of the valley is the crap part - close to industry, a lot of trains, highway and all sort of noise. Around Lindenplatz is better and in the end will you be using the tram more often than the trains. From Lindenplatz up the hill is the best part - five minutes walk to the forest, sport facilities, quiet.
I lived in the Eugen Huber Strasse and can recommend the surrounding area.
Also agree with Treverus, closer to the train station is not as nice, and there were nice neighbourhoods up the hill from us (direction Albisreiden). One open question is the schools, which I don't know much about (though that would be an issue only later for the OP in case he and his family stays).
I would have gone for the not enough coffee/too much beer argument. This is a full 180 followed by some serious mansplaining.
I have to say living in a side street is great for kids (part of our street was private, so no vehicles other than residents allowed) and it was very quiet, whilst only being a 30 second walk to the bus or a 4/5 min walk to Lindenplatz. The 67 (if I remember) from Buchlern takes you to Bhf Altstetten in 5 mins also, very handy.
If you can find something there or in a side-street, I'd recommend it.
Altstetten
https://www.google.ch/search?q=altst...w=1726&bih=926
Höngg
https://www.google.ch/search?q=h%C3%...w=1726&bih=926
I rest my case.
Altstetten
Albisrieden
Höngg
Wipkingen
Although, from a work perspective, I'd prefer to stay in the Altstetten / Albisrieden region for convenience.
If you work near the Alstetten train station, and would like to live away from Alstetten, I'd otherwise look at locations that directly run along the train lines:
S
S3
S9
S11
S12
S15
Your "commute time" won't be seriously affected if you live further away, but where you trade tranquility and perhaps a nice family house, you will rot your brain with boredom and inaccessibility to the city.
Albisrieden is a pretty quiet spot, and English speakers are hard to come by......... HOWEVER, I have come accross more Swiss locals there who are at least willing to use High German with you so you at least have a chance to communicate.
Höngg and Wipkingen are both excellent area's to live, but the commute to work will be a little awkward with connections - but let's face it, nowhere around Zurich is really that far away.
The view, the sunshine, the Limmat are all winners, and also seems to be a few more English speakers around for some reason.
Where Alstetten lacks a certain aesthetic charm, it more than makes up for it with practicality.
Housing prices are cheaper, and some nice pads available at that.
Shops and public transport are also a winner.
The 2 tram line will take you directly to Bellevue via Paradeplatz, so nothing is ever that far away.
Horses for courses really. Each have their merits.
for what my 2 cents are worth, I'd stick with Albisrieden.
I like the Uetliburg, the locals aren't bad either.
It's quiet and boring yes, but not that far out of your way to get to the action.
Accommodation always seems to be in pretty good nic.
By the way, if you think your missus is going to settle in and make a few friends, you might want to read a few threads on how hard this actually is.
Tell her to join some groups of interest she can find on the forum here to get her started.
Locals will warm up to you like a polar ice cap.
(I'd use a glacier as an example, but we can measure how fast they are warming up and melting)