Look at it from another angle,

you will be progressing, ie finding new smoking buddies,

when you do come home, meeting your old pals will be more than just a daily routine,

just make a point of staying in contact,

they will be living the same lives back home,

I would never want to end up living in the same town I grew up in with out at least travelling, living somewhere else, I look at my mates back home with pity as to how little ambition or drive they have.