I am an American, currently with a US passport. I am 61 years old and I am retired with an adequate, guaranteed income that includes medical care, so I would not need to work nor require any social services. I am interested in buying a home in the UK, initially to live in for about 4-6 months per year, but possibly, in the future to make that my home base for most of the year. I have a few questions about visas and taxes.

1) The UK seems to have done away with the "Person of independent means' qualification for an extended residency visa. What would be my options for obtaining a visa for multiple entry short term stays, and for potentially longer stays?

2) I was told by a friend that there is movement afoot of the UK creating a large tax (~£30K) for U.K. non-domiciled people, like workers for foreign companies. How real or likely is this?

Thanks