Fit59,

The Nancy lakes area/Willow is a great area. Not sure if you have kids, schools could be an issue. There are alot of cabins in that area. Buy a smaller place in Anchorage, not the typical $700,000 F/O hillside "I really need a draft trip" mansion. Then buy a cabin.

The plane commute option is great also, but just consider that unless you have a hangar, winter time prep is at least a 2hr process to get ready to fly. If the road conditions are crappy to drive there is a 90% chance flying is not so great also. If ANC goes below a mile you are stuck waiting for a special to get into Lake Hood, and there goes your 45min commute.