how fast do you want to be while commuting, and how fast do you want to be able to accelerate from a standing start?

if the answer is "not very" to each or "my legs can figure that out for me" then SS is a great option.

but don't fault your boyfriend for wanting to set you up with super nice stuff.

just get a surly xcheck and set it up singlespeed. when he wants to drop loads of cash on a new red group then it has the hanger and all necessary mounts and stops.