It's not just the winter bit --- it's the "tech desert" effect, where if you move somewhere and it doesn't work out, you feel trapped. Moving in general is difficult.

I've have been going through a very difficult decision myself. Do I want to move to a non-traditional (i.e., not Seattle, SF, or New York) city for an interesting and well-paying position? Maybe? Yes? No? Tons of tradeoffs.

I can certainly understand this guy deciding to stay home.