I am always amazed at the length I hear cats travel.
I know of a couple that moved miles, a few towns over and their inside/outside cats went back to their old house. Successfully thank God, but that ability amazes me.

Because of that "homing" ability, a friend of mine who took care of a feral cat for 8 years in Chicago trapped it and took it with when she moved to the suburbs. Now the cat is living in her house and getting the best care money can buy
She didn't want to risk the next owner harming the cat, she didn't want to risk letting the cat outside at the new house and him trying to get back to Chicago so for the last year plus he has adapted to being a kept inside cat. Can't say it has been a smooth transition but it is working.