My fiance and I were long distance (he in north carolina, me in pennsylvania) for the first two years of our relationship. However, I had lived in north carolina growing up and we had a prior platonic background.
We had bumps and rough patches but, because of our commitment, love and appreciation for what we had, we worked through those rough patches together. As was said above, communication is key! Understanding, honesty and trust are vital! Without these things, no relationship has a future especially, one without in person contact.
I agree with previous comments that you have to have plans for a face to face future. Otherwise, there is no future because obviously, the goal of any relationship is to physically live together in a committed union. Without licing close enough to date that will never be possible.
For us, it was different. I had a young son from a previous relationship so, picking up and moving in the hopes of a successful rwlationship was not a plausible option therefore, he moved to Pennsylvania. More specifically, he moved in with my son and I, while we wwwere living with my grandmother and aunt! Try that one on for size lol!
Like I said, it wasn't always peachy but, when you're committed and you appreciate one another with true love and understanding, you work through the tough times together.
We just celebrated our 5th anniversary, earlier this year. We are planning our October wedding in the front yard of our place, which we just moved into last month, finally.
Things do get better. Don't give up. Talk, compromise, trust and always find a way to laugh at the struggle. Everything else will work itself out.
Nothing more to add....SM summed it up once again.
I think long distance can work if it is seen as temporary. Making plans on how to eventually live in the same area not moving in together right away when you do move where he is or he to you is good. I say that because it is hard to experience what someone is like on a day to day basis long distance and then often people go straight to living together and have major growing pains.
anyway, if it is temporary, then yes, it can work. good luck