I think it's quite common to be a bit lonely once you finish school/uni, especially if you haven't had a boyfriend during that time, for quiet types that's the only reason to go out, really. You have basically gone through the "befuddled graduate" phase without ever actually going to uni which kind of sucks. Still if you are at uni it is a great equaliser, you may be 27 but you may as well imagine you're 18-21, especially if it will fit with your self-image. I would have moved out for uni, it really is a great character-builder to do that. I think if you rent next year (still at uni presumably) this would be a fantastic move for you.
I don't know why girls are quite so obsessed with defining themselves according to men, if you like the older man that doesn't bespeak anything deep about you, it's very common and you are at the age where you are probably entitled to be looking for stability.