Maybe the problem is, is because you are ONLY 20 and even though you think and know what you want, in 5 years your mind can change because you are still young and you are still growing as a person. He’s already been married and divorced he probably doesn’t want to ever have to go through that again. Do you have your career? What are your goals and ambitions does he know that? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Are you looking at the bigger picture in the long run or the pretty little ring and glorious wedding you can have now?

Maybe he feels you’re not independent enough, or maybe as some people have said he does not ever want to get married again. If you both want different things then its time to move on, but being the age you are I really suggest finding yourself before finding a man to marry. You’re going to grow, change your mind things you want now you might not want in 5 years.

You have your whole life a head of you I don't know maybe it's just me I don't see the point of marrying so young when you haven't even found yourself yet.

I understand the fact that I'm still learning and growing as a person-- and I feel I always will be, but I'm pretty confident in who I am and what I want. And I'm not trying to rush into marriage now. I just don't want this to become an issue years from now, since I don't see us breaking up for any other reason. I feel it will only get harder. I told him yesterday that all I'm looking for is for him to be open to the idea of marriage eventually. I'm happy with him, but I'm not sure if I can settle and be a girlfriend for the rest of my life.

just wanted to say- it took a lot for you to really stand up for yourself and do what's best for you right now. i think this time on your own will give you some perspective, and maybe it'll give him some perspective as well. i hope this all works out for the best.
if you can get an apt or a roommate, go for it. having your own space is truly a magical experience...lol.
and i hope you get that puppy!!!
also- how did your bf react to you moving out? are you ok?

I definitely agree with luckyme that (especially at your age) every relationship does not need to have a ring as the end goal. I'm also definitely not opposed to co-habitation and see nothing wrong with living with a boyfriend. The thing is, when you get to that serious step in a relationship, your lives can become more and more interdependent, to the point that you really are "stuck" if the time comes that you want to move in separate directions. I do agree with MizTac that early 20s is definitely a time to be exploring who YOU are and what you want, and figuring out that it is NOT being a girlfriend forever and that he is not going to change his mind when you are so wrapped up in each other's finances and everything else makes it 10 (100?) times harder to just pull up stakes and go with your heart.

Do what you have to do so that you are not tied down to a situation that he has already TOLD you does not suit you. Nothing wrong with continuing to see him and just let things happen if they may. But don't get stuck!

I think you should live separately and continue to date each other (or other people if you want too!!).

I say this from experience of dating someone who was married and didn't have a great experience being married.

I would like to get married some day (I still feel too young and I'm in my mid-30s!!!) but my BF was anti-marriage because his only experience being married was awful for him. His fear was that the moment that we married, I would turn into an evil wife.

(Nevermind that wouldn't happen, but these fears are irrational....)

I think you need to continue talking to him and understanding why he doesn't want to get married. But you shouldn't live together either. He needs to figure out if he prefers to be on his own or if he wants to be with you, but by living together you're giving him that gray area that might make him happy but it makes you unhappy.

I also think you're too young to be getting so serious so soon. Part of the problem with my BF's marriage was that married really young and they didn't know who they were yet.... years later it turned out that they weren't so compatible anymore.

Give it time, enjoy your 20s and let your BF figure out what is it about marriage that he doesn't like. He needs to know that you're not his ex-wife and you need to be your own person with your dog (and he has to accept that this is who you are).

I don't live with my BF. I used to live with one in my 20s and that didn't end up in marriage, although I wanted it to. This time around, he's keeping his place until we're on the same page together.