As I grow older it is easy to notice a common topic among my fellow classmates: whether or not they are choosing to move from their current living quarters after graduation. Being a college student is a force to be reckoned with, but what comes afterwards? The “big world” as some call it. With that come large decisions such as where you will attempt to get a job with that degree you have worked so hard to earn, and for some, this means moving across the country.

Throughout my life I have had ample opportunities to travel. I’ve visited many places and even been outside the United States. Although my experiences are exciting, one thing remains: I love my hometown and I plan to settle here. Some think it is the best idea and others think it’s the worst. Here is why it’s okay to live where you were raised.

1. You love the area and what it has to offer.

Everyone has something they love about the world. For me, it’s nature. I have been blessed enough to grow up in the hills of southwestern Virginia and wouldn’t have it any other way. I love everything about having an outdoor lifestyle: hiking, camping, kayaking and mountain biking are some of my favorite things to do—and those aren’t things I could easily do in the city, if at all. Maybe you love the fast-paced lifestyle of living in an urban area, and that is okay! Odds are, there is at least one thing you like about your hometown.

2. You are extremely family-oriented.

Maybe your grandma picked you up everyday after school as you came running off the bus, or maybe every Sunday your family eats lunch together. If you are a part of a family with strong relationships, you know what I’m talking about. I couldn’t imagine my life without my entire family. After all, they have made me who I am today.

3. Home is where the heart is.

We’ve all heard the saying and know it’s true. Maybe you got a great job offer in Chicago, but you couldn’t imagine leaving the white sands of Florida. Maybe your current career has you picking up and moving to the suburbs and the thought of it makes you cringe. Either way, no place could ever be your home if you aren’t in love with it. Be true to yourself and your heart.

4. Everyone is different.

Sometimes it’s hard to admit you don’t want the same things in life as your friends and maybe even your family. The fact is, everyone is different and with those differences come opposing ideas about life. If the girl you sit next to in Biology class wants to move across the country after graduation and you can’t imagine moving more than a mile away, it’s completely okay.

Don’t get me wrong, you should want to get out of your comfort zone and see the world—it is an enriching part of life. However, when the end of the day comes and you just want to be home; which ultimately means returning to your hometown, that’s perfectly okay. The point is, if you love where you live no one should take that away from you. It is your life and all that matters is how (or where) you want to live it!