Hi Sausages,
I would say that being able to talk about money is a fairly big part of your relationship and....sure as eggs is eggs, NOT being able to talk about money is a major problem. You need to know that you can be frank and accepted now. If you are worrying that you - as a package, money worries and all - might not be acceptable to him, then I think you may have problems stacking up in the future.
What you are expressing is doubts about your relationship. You want him to sense what he needs to do without you telling him what is happening for you. That may be rather a tall order. You have a long distance relationship. He does not have your circumstances in front of him every day. Does he come to visit? Is it obvious you can't afford to heat your house etc? Do you cover up? Do you feel you would be less loveable if he knew the truth about you.
There's something here that you are not sure about. There is a real uncertainty about selling up, throwing in your lot with this person and moving to an area where you don't even know you will find work. At least you have work at the moment and that means a great deal. You have financial independence, even if that means hardship at some level. You would be swapping that for dependence. Dependence is risky. What you are saying is that you may not want to risk being dependent on this man.
You know him. We don't. Trust your gut instinct. Your gut instinct is telling you that this doesn't feel right. There are plenty of threads on here from women who are financially dependent and then much more vulnerable to emotional and financial abuse. Forgive me if I presume too much... but you don't sound ready to throw in your lot with this man.
Really really try, as other posters have said, to have a proper conversation with your partner. For god's sake he is meant to be the love of your life/life partner/soulmate/whatever.... this conversation should be possible. Put your cards on the table and be prepared not to like his stance. If you don't like it, be prepared to stand on your own again.
I think you are stronger than you think and in fact are worried about throwing away what you have, even if it is really really hard to make ends meet. At least where you are now you KNOW where you are. If you go ahead with marrying - without really nailing down who does what, who pays for what, what financial settings you are going to have - then I think that you won't feel secure and happy. This seems to be what you are expressing in your post. I have total sympathy for you. You have survived on your own all this time - don't knock your achievement, and even though it seems hard, don't throw in your lot with someone who may not be generous, kind, thoughtful and everything else that you need. Attitude to money is very important as it tells you what you need to know about their attitude to everything else.
Good luck. Have a listen to your doubts. Just because you've not been married before, don't think that is ALL THAT. I am trying my hardest to rid myself of my marriage and I wish wish wish that I still had a job.