Working where you live - Takoma Park, Maryland - is it worth it?

New to the real estate industry, I have thought long and hard about where to focus my efforts in the Washington, D.C. area. My initial limitation - I only have a license for Washington, D.C. (I started the process for gaining licensure in neighboring Maryland and Virginia almost immediately after gaining my D.C. license but I'm still waiting for the appropriate paperwork!) That bump aside, I've still thought long and hard - do I want to specialize where I live?

I love my city - Takoma Park, MD - and I understand the benefits to working in an area you know rather intimately. I know about the schools, the local shopping areas, and the ins-and-outs of local government regulations and restrictions. But, in my mind, I live here and want some separation. Will I help someone buy or sell a house here? Of course! But if I'm looking to target a specific audience, this may not be the place for me.

Is this just a personal choice? Am I someone that enjoys leaving for work in the morning and returning in the evening? Is this even possible in the real estate industry? It seems we're always on the lookout, targeting specific individuals but adaptable to any situation. Working in a large metropolitan region, I have the luxury to look elsewhere. Some are, by necessity, their local neighborhood experts. I guess, in the end, that's just not what I'm looking for. A million options present themselves in this business and I suppose it's my job to navigate through my comfort level and discover where my niche interests lie.

Has anyone else faced this interesting conflict starting out? I'd love to hear from you.