A work colleague made a similar decision some years ago and moved to a very rural area, at the time her husband was quite against the idea for various reason i.e poor public transport, very little shopping / medical facilities. In the winter it wasn't uncommon for them to be cut-off totally for several days at a time but they did the move.
Both healthy and mobile at the time.
My ex colleague now wants to move back....her health has deteriorated and trips for medical treatment are needed weekly, it's looking like she'll soon be unable to drive and if anything happens to her partner or the car is off the road, it would be hugely difficult for them.
In a way, his feelings are the same as your husband, lots of anger, he's refusing to discuss the issue...on the last occasion he kept saying "I told you this could happen".
I think it's a combination of things..moving home is expensive and stressful, you know that moving to a new place is unsettling so it is easier to make excuses not to move, to stay in the status quo, for life to carry on as it is (his illness will come into play here).
Sorry I have no pearls of wisdom though!