All of those jobs that depend on your commute would get hurt, yes, but the money you spend on them you’d probably spend a part of it in your community, when you go to cafes near your house, when you have time to get groceries in your neighborhood, etc.
Also, people moving away from big centers is not a downside, that would improve their lives, and it would make the big cities cheaper for those who stay.
You should prioritize yourself. If you’re recognized for your hard work, then all the power to you. People are just skeptic because most of the time, no matter how hard you work, you never get any valuable recognition for it.
If you don’t feel recognized, it’s still valid to do work that you believe will contribute to your professional growth - as a way to prepare yourself for the next step.