Its basically means.... in an area in which you feel totally comfortable or at home. Basically this person wants you to demonstrate your skills & ability in context.

I means it has affected you personally.

1) in my neighborhood (also figuratively) "Acronym nimby (chiefly US) Not In My BackYard - Noun: nimby (plural nimbies) (usually pejorative) Someone who objects to the building of an undesirable structure in their neighborhood, especially in public policy debate. politically correct green nimbies - Adjective nimby (comparative nimbyer or nimbier or more nimby, superlative nimbyest or nimbiest or most nimby) Not wanting to have to deal with unpleasant or distasteful things near them. Their vote against measures to help refugees has been perceived by the socially conscious margin of society as a typically nimby attitude." Source and further information: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/nimby 2) "in one's own backyard In one's own domain, in a position very close to one. For example, You didn't expect to find a first-class organist in your own backyard. [Mid-1900s] Also see close to home." Source and further information: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/in+one's+own+backyard "in one's own back yard a. close at hand b. involving or implicating one" Source and further information: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/back+yard