My understanding is that unless you are fully self-employed--artist, writer, photographer---that it's nearly impossible to get a work visa to enter the country, since you would be taking a job away from a U.K. resident. And as noted, most employers see no reason to hassle with the paperwork when there are plenty of British job applicants. I'm also wondering, if an individual can show that his retirement income is enough to live on, is it possible to be admitted into the country to live? Where is this information available?