You should be able to finish most of the quests in Aleroth before you leave for the first time. Some people clear the area surrounding town (to level up) if they start having problems in the catacombs.
However, there shouldn't be a problem simply returning to Aleroth. Generally, if you start having a lot of problems, you should explore in a different direction and/or check merchants for better equipment.
Early Starter Tips (NON-Spoiler Version)