My (26M) GF of 2+ years (27F) unsure if I want to take the next big steps
So I've been with my girlfriend for a little bit over 2 years now. We honestly have a strong relationship and we have been living together since early this year. That has overall gone pretty well, we are for the most part compatible in the house. We have pretty solid communication, a good sex life, and a lot of fun together. I am definitely more organized and handle more of the cooking cleaning mental load of all of that. She has done a great job decorating the place and making it homey but there could be a little bit more balance I think on the chore side of things ( I haven't brought this up to her yet ).
However, a big point of contention has been that I want to move and experience living somewhere else, at least for a little bit before coming back to the city where we live now, which is close to family. I may have an opportunity to do so through my work but she would not and she is in a field that is really hard to find work at right now just like most of the job market, but her field more so.
Initially, we agreed to live together for a year and then determine if we wanted to move, but in the recent check-ins we've had, she's made it pretty clear that she would not be willing to do so without a job and if I were to get an opportunity, I wouldn't know exactly where it would be until relatively short notice. Not giving her much of a chance to look for work.
Besides this, I'm also just uncertain if I am ready to commit to a marriage or further long-term relationship. I was single for several years but I do enjoy traveling by myself, which I don't feel like I can do as much in a relationship. In my head I also feel like I would like to date and meet other women and other people, but I know that the grass is always greener on the other side right.
Ultimately, I know that if I wanted to I could marry her and we would have a good partnership. We would have to work for it, but I definitely think that we would be compatible and a good fit for marriage. I don't believe there's only one person for you to get married. I think she's one of many people that could be a good fit for me. I just don't know if I'm ready to take that next step and if I want to continue living together when our lease is up at the end of the year as I would like to pursue living in another place while I have the time before my parents get too old.
I guess the advice that I'm looking for is what are some things I should be thinking about to determine if I want to continue this relationship? And if I decide that I do want to end it, would it be better to subtly drop hints as it gets closer or just let her know a couple of months before the lease ends and more of a blind side so that way our living situation is not uncomfortable.
I understand that there will always be uncertainty and that there could be a bad decision whether I do decide to stay with her for the long run and regret it or if I leave her and end up wishing I stayed. I just want to know if there's a strong logical way for me to come to a conclusion instead of just trusting my gut, which right now is saying to move on at the end of the lease.
TL;DR: My girlfriend and I have a healthy and happy relationship, but I’m unsure if I’m ready for marriage or staying in one place long term. I want more independence and the chance to live somewhere else, and I’m trying to figure out whether to continue the relationship or end it when our lease is up.