How do I convince my partner that we don't need to live in the same zip code to be happy?

My partner (28M) and I (36F) have been together for five years, and I recently learned he wants to buy a home so he can live in the same neighborhood he's been in since he was a child. It was a huge surprise, as I didn't realize how much living close to his family meant to him until the past year. I always thought he valued independence in the way that I do.<br><br>This is the biggest marital issue I've dealt with, as I don't feel the need to live in the same neighborhood or area that I grew up in. I enjoy visiting my family in my hometown, but I don't want to live in the same area again. While many people have encouraged me to compromise, I'm not sure to what extent I'd like to accommodate his wishes. With his father no longer alive, he spent less time at his mother's house but now lives in an apartment a few blocks away from her house. I don't know why he still wants to stay in the same neighborhood after getting married.<br><br>We rented an apartment in a nearby neighborhood that's about a 25-minute drive from where he grew up, and we've been living there since the start of the pandemic. Although some people have told us our apartment is close enough, he is genuinely distressed about not living in his childhood neighborhood.<br><br>He doesn't communicate well about his feelings or needs, but he has become much more open about how much he wants to live in the same area. It's a big concern for me when considering marriage, as I don't want to stunt my career growth by living in the same place forever. It's unnecessary for me to live in the same neighborhood to feel happy or secure.<br><br>He has already purchased a home and has lived in the same one for over three years, and the thought of buying a home with him feels daunting. He is also adverse to renting out the home and living in a new area. I'm unsure how to convince him that we can still be happy and fulfilled without living in the same neighborhood.<br><br>Has anyone dealt with a similar situation before? Should we consider couples counseling or is this something we can work through on our own?