That was exactly my point. Finance was booming in New York City, but the valley would not look at junior hires. So many cheap mid-career devs (with a mortgage) were desperate for a job! I had no chance.

Random anecdote: One thing I remember moving from SF to NYC (in that era): Instantly lower quality of life. I know, I know, that was a long time ago! The weather in NYC is awful compared to SF. I could walk to supermarket without a coat for 11 months a year. And no endless police & ambulance sirens or loud garbage trucks! And housing was more expensive and much lower quality.

Moving may not be easy, but the original claim was merely that finding a job was easy. The anecdote supports it.