<human>: Can you succinctly summarize the text in 1-3 sentences?

We have been good friends for 2 1/2 yrs, dating for 1 yr all throughout college, and have been living together for 3 months now.  She graduated last May and has a local job in the Midwest that she hates.  I am graduating in Dec and just landed my dream job on the west coast.  We have NEVER fought, but have started whenever moving gets brought up.

Her parents think it is a bad decision to move across the country with her boyfriend because she will have to quit her current job and may not have a job lined up by the time we move.  Additionally they say that we could break up and she would be stuck out there.  HOWEVER they keep hinting it would be a different decision if we were more serious (aka engaged).  It is to the point now that she has started hinting at it because she would like to make her parents happy.  I ever asked her if she would even be ready to take the next step and she said yes.  I had planned doing an elaborate proposal after graduating and moving because I feel she deserves it, we would be in a more stable time in our lives, and I would have money for a ring (right now I am a very broke college student).  Also I am not a fan of proposing just to make her and her parents happy, but I do not want to lose her because of a job!  Like I said we never fight and have perfect chemistry like I cannot explain.

I am the person who normally wouldn't give in to what people say, and would rather make this a more special romantic moment.  But my girlfriend is almost in tears because of all the stuff her parents keep saying and she just wants to make them happy. I should also mention they have been very supportive of her, paid for her college & expenses, and gave her a car for graduation, so she has reason to want their approval. Should I propose before moving??

If you say yes, how do I go about getting a ring/alternatives to a ring?  I have ~$1000 to my name, rent is $450, monthly income of $~500.
<bot>: I am moving across the country for work, my gf's parents want us to get engaged before moving.  Should we?