I bought a house with my bf of 7 years, after 2 years, he proposed, 5 months later (almost 10 years together) we broke up. He said that he was not ready for the committment of married and home ownership life! Had nothing to do with money. Im not telling you not to do it, but I would think about it really hard. Your 2 friends told you something that you didn't want to hear Im sure, I hate that! I understand how you feel cuz all my friends told me not to do it too! I just wish I listened. I wouldn't do it again. I own my own house now and have a bf who owns his own house. he wants me to rent mine out and move in with him. I said HELL NO!!!
I love him and miss him when Im not with him, but this time around, the guy will marry me before I merge 'assets' with him!
Good Luck sweetie! Its a tough decision. They do say that couples that live together before marriage tend to fall apart faster than couples who do not. Just a statistical fact I read somewhere!