I NEED A MAN'S PERSPECTIVE!-I've heard the ladies already (10 points if you make a good point aka BEST ANSWER)?

The thing is it sounds like he doesn't want you to feel held down if you want to move on with your life and he wants you to be happy and if you need to leave him he wants you to be able to. If you say your dating you will want to stat with him more and may not reach your full potential.