Overwhelmed: Need to move out of London, but where to?

[ArborFields]

We currently live in South West London but want to rent somewhere more affordable. We are American and have lived in London for less than a year so do not know which areas to look for our next move. My husband needs to commute via public transportation to Hammersmith for work and we would ideally like to spend around £1500 ppm on housing. I have one child entering reception and one entering nursery and am devastated to have to give up their current places at a very good local school. Where can we focus our search? Our emphasis is on good primary schools, a great sense of community, and a reasonable commute to Hammersmith. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I am lost.

On that budget you should be able to rent a house in Reigate (direct rail links to Victoria) or Dorking (Waterloo and Victoria). Ashtead is another possibility, but I'm not sure about the schools there.

Coulsdon ... Big houses, short commute into Victoria or London bridge. Good schools.
Whyteleafe, warlingham, caterham, sanderstead, kenley, woodmansterne..... All local stations. All fine commute wise.

All leafy.... Not town, not countryside. Nice communities. Lots to do.