I have lived in a couple of places in the city, and have experience of many others through friends, but nobody appears to have mentioned Altstetten.

I originally got my place here as it was convenient for my office, but for the last couple of years I've been working for someone else first in other cities, but currently in Oerlikon.
I find it very convenient for the city via Sbahn, tram or bus, but also have the option of an hourly regional Zug to get to work.
It has everything other parts of the city have in terms of shops, restarants, etc, indeed Letzipark is the largest shopping centre in Stadt Zürich.
Plus once you are a couple of blocks away from Badener Strasse, it is pretty quiet.