Let me offer you an alternative hypothesis.

Steve remains at work, rather than being pulled to other alluring things, because he he finds SF so draining and obnoxious. A change of scenery can definitely help with that sort of problem.

Having talked to Steve over a range of diverse topics I can tell you, Steve has many interests outside of work and in many other contexts has obviously maintained a work/life balance that has allowed him to do many interesting things both professionally and personally.