But the Oamaru Opera House event co-ordinator is loving the change of pace and being closer to family.
Ms Phillips, a qualified architect, moved to Oamaru last year after living in Sydney and London, where she worked in project management.
"I felt extremely lucky when I saw the [event co-ordinator] position advertised, because it's something that I'm quite passionate about ... customer service and being involved in the community in something that's making a difference and culture-orientated,'' she said.
She started at the Opera House in June and her work has won her a sought-after scholarship in venues management, which her employers believe will benefit the venue and the town.
Ms Phillips, who has a bachelor's degree in architecture, grew up in Dunedin and said it was "amazing'' to be closer to home.
Her twin sister lives in Oamaru and her mother, Jo Todd, who owns a boutique lavender farm, Danseys Pass Lavender, lives in Danseys Pass.
"[Living in Oamaru] was quite an adjustment initially, but I'm actually really loving it here and loving that close community feel and feeling supported - being able to smile at someone on the street is a bit of a novelty after London,'' she said.
Oamaru was heading in an "exciting direction'' and the Oamaru Opera House was held in high regard.
"People are starting to recognise the name Oamaru and they're inquiring and it's really easy for us at the moment to pick up on those inquiries and promote the district. It's a really, really exciting time for us and that's to do with the entire town being invested in it,'' Ms Phillips said.
Oamaru Opera House director Frances McElhinney said Ms Phillips had already established herself as an "exceptional'' venue and events co-ordinator.
"Sarah has worked tirelessly to build the Opera House's reputation as one of the best mid-sized venues in New Zealand, and attracting conferences like the upcoming Irrigation NZ conference is proof of how well the Opera House is regarded,'' Mrs McElhinney said.
"The business these events bring to Oamaru is a benefit to the entire community.''
Ms Phillips is one of two people awarded a national scholarship to attend an intensive training programme in venue management systems in Auckland.
On the scholarship, from Entertainment Venues Association New Zealand (EVANZ), she will travel to Auckland to learn and observe venue management systems put in place at Auckland Live venues.
"The experience of being in such large-scale venues [in Auckland] and seeing what goes on behind the scenes will be hugely beneficial,'' she said.
"I'll be able to bring a lot of that back here, as we get busier and grow - it's pretty exciting.''
The training will take place some time this year. She will make a presentation about her experience at this year's EVANZ conference in Hamilton.
