Could your career thrive in your home town?

I was almost 18 when I moved away to attend university. Full of excitement and fear, I drove out of The Bends — an overgrown stretch of road that separates my home town from the rest of Sydney — and didn’t realise I wouldn’t ‘come home’ full time for another 21 years.

New LinkedIn research shows only 39% of Australians live near their home town, though more than half (55%) live less than one hour away from their closest family members.

Why did people move? The data showed it was most likely for career advancement or to support a partner’s career, and that was the case for me — I wanted to live on campus at university instead of spending hours each day commuting from my home town.

I asked LinkedIn members to share their experiences of leaving — or of staying put — and the responses speak to how an opportunity can change every aspect of your life, even if you don't realise it at the time.

Heading for the big lights

Leadership coach Melanie Smith left her home town to crack into the jobs market in Sydney but she points out that times have since changed.

"The increase of remote and hybrid work has fundamentally changed the opportunities to engage in high-quality knowledge work, no matter where you live but if you are focused on an industry like design and construction, your opportunities for remote or hybrid work are limited unless you live nearby," she writes.

"In addition, cost of living and lifestyle in the city will impact people's decisions to live close to where they work. There is plenty of evidence out there that people are choosing to leave big cities to recognise better quality of life outcomes for themselves and their families."

Career strategist Vanessa Sebben says it's not always as simple as thinking larger cities are better for your job.

"I believe that bigger cities indeed offer greater career advancement," she writes. "That being said, in smaller cities, especially industrial ones like my home town, you can also find opportunities. The internet as well can offer all of us a world of possibilities."

Finding community takes time

What do you give up when you leave your home town? The downsides sunk in for school board chair Hwee Peng Tan while filling out a form.

"It used to not bother me on where I work and live until my child started school and we need to provide an emergency contact," she writes. "Our community is far from us and we did ponder on this issue."

"Eventually we formed our own community and the rest is history. And I also want to emphasise the importance of good neighbours. It's the first time in my life that I experienced fantastic neighbours, I can't be more thankful."

But what about those who move only to find they're miserable?

Clear Coaching founder Rex Alexander reminds that "nothing has to be forever", saying new arrivals need to look after their mental health.

"Take care of your mental health, stay connected with family and friends — technology can help — and perhaps look into connecting with local groups of people based on your hobbies, sport and after work interests.

"If you do move, and it's not working out, start researching again as, nothing has to be forever."

Why leave? Thrive at home

Mining and sustainability expert Adam Carter Lees is a great example of someone whose career thrived in his home town.

He writes, "Growing up in the small mining town of Mount Isa, I vowed never to work in the mines" but a chance role saw him spending four years working in the industry and "provided an excellent foundation for a stellar career".

"Knowing community members since childhood helped me thrive in my role," he writes. "Never say never. Some people think the grass is greener away from home, but if you're happy, enjoy and love what you do, and are surrounded by family and friends, and it ticks your boxes, why move?"

Time to head home?

Career counsellor Rebekah Di Blasi grew up in New Zealand before moving abroad and notes that there has more recently been an influx home in a flip side to the trend.

"Returning home was the next rite of passage for many of my friends abroad who planned to buy homes, start families or pursue a different lifestyle later in life, and I was the anomaly who stayed across the Tasman."

For organisational development specialist ?? Dane McCormack ?? a return home came with a leg up.

"I did the traditional Tasmanian thing and escaped to the mainland to pursue my career because I couldn't find a job and I wouldn't have the opportunities I found in my home town, but I've recently returned and found a very cool job with an innovative Tasmanian company, I never would have escaped to the mainland if I'd have found this job back then," he writes.

I can relate to McCormack, having gone full circle and finding myself living a few blocks from my childhood home. It comes with baggage, sure, but also a vibrant community of people who know me, which in turn helps me show up as my authentic self in all areas of life.

Do you have experience moving away from your home town in pursuit of opportunities? Maybe you found your place right where you grew up. Share your experiences in the comments section below.

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