If your clock is ticking, the logical thing to do is the one that will most likely lead to something permanent, otherwise you'll waste (probably) two very precious years.
I can only tell you what I would do - I would want a ring before living with him, especially given your goal.
To me, living together to see if you work is a little crazy - it is like you move in with all of your habits to see if they mesh. I see this as adding confusion and to me with a 45 year old bachelor it is risky - what if he is confused about your silly bickering over chores and then doesn't want to commit to you? Now you are living with someone who doesn't want to commit. And the thing is that it is his decision to ask you to commit - you have no say in that except to say yes or no.
But to commit first before living together is different - you commit and then move in with the idea that to fail is not an option - so you are both doing things and compromising with the other person's needs in mind.
Everyone has their own beliefs about living together. And I have done it when I was in my 20s. But I have a lot more now than I did back then and I know a lot more now so I would not do it - but that is me.
Don't worry about the lease and your name on that - worry about the ring if you want to be married and have a baby. But of course you have to ask yourself in your mind if you really trust him with the rest of your life and to be the father of the baby.
From what you have said here, I think you are okay.
If your clock is ticking, the logical thing to do is the one that will most likely lead to something permanent, otherwise you'll waste (probably) two very precious years.
That "clock" is
I can only tell you what I would do - I would want a ring before living with him, especially given your goal.
To me, living together to see if you work is a little crazy - it is like you move in with all of your habits to see if they mesh. I see this as adding confusion and to me with a 45 year old bachelor it is risky - what if he is confused about your silly bickering over chores and then doesn't want to commit to you? Now you are living with someone who doesn't want to commit. And the thing is that it is his decision to ask you to commit - you have no say in that except to say yes or no.
But to commit first before living together is different - you commit and then move in with the idea that to fail is not an option - so you are both doing things and compromising with the other person's needs in mind.
Everyone has their own beliefs about living together. And I have done it when I was in my 20s. But I have a lot more now than I did back then and I know a lot more now so I would not do it - but that is me.
Don't worry about the lease and your name on that - worry about the ring if you want to be married and have a baby. But of course you have to ask yourself in your mind if you really trust him with the rest of your life and to be the father of the baby.
From what you have said here, I think you are okay.
All,