Thank you for your advice...it's been very helpful. I realize that I didn;t mention that we will be working in the Reinach/Aesch areas so that may help clarify distances in relation to work. We are hoping for a relatively short commute (by public transport in the beginning) and have managed to narrow down to the following areas:
Reinach, Aesch, Pfeffingen, Dornach, Arlesheim, Munchenstein, Duggingen, possibly Biel-Benken (but I heard public transport from there was not great) or Ettingen. I have heard of Bruderholz which sounds lovely but someone told me it was quite expensive.

We are still hoping for a 4.5 room (or bigger) apartment in the 'area' of 2000 CHF (give or take a couple hundred). So any more advice about any of these specific areas would be great! Thanks again for the help so far...