just give it to me straight, please

Hi, I'm very new and I'm sure the answers I need are in here somewhere, but I'm a guy and you know how we can be.
I will keep things as simple as I can, since I'm sure there will be an old topic for most readers.
OK, I'm a Yank and I'm in a LDR with Brit. We have met on-line and have been friends for a few years. Last year we fell in love and are looking to be together (me going to the UK). I have a slight understanding of the visas, and i guess it would be me as a visitor. At this time a fiance visa may be getting ahead of things.
We have never met in real life and we both realize real romance and web romance may not be the same thing.

so if I understand correctly my options are marriage or proof that I have money, a place to live and a job.
I realize I way oversimplified that list, but I guess my biggest concern is a job.
 
While I have a lot of experience in my field I don't have the kind of job or work for a company that would get me transfered or sponsored to get a work visa. I sell building materials, and I know there are places there that I could be a fit. Still, I'm not a student or an executive, just an regular guy, in love.
Is my only hope of being with her rushing into marriage or can an average guy get an average job and be allowed to move to England?

thanks for any advice.   

Is my only hope of being with her rushing into marriage

Yes

or can an average guy get an average job and be allowed to move to England? 

No. 

You did ask for it straight

Work visas are hard to get, and getting harder.  I'd recommend visiting first, then considering marriage if things work out well.

I did ask, thanks.

so being married I can stay and work and rent a flat or whatever?
I'm sure there's more paperwork though.

Historyenne is right. IMO your only option for a life in the UK is marriage. But that's putting the cart before the horse as you've not met in person...that's the first step.

Plan a short visit (2 weeks max) make sure you have enough funds to cover your entire trip just incase you end up needing to spend that in a hotel/hostel, transportation & food costs as well. If things work then plan another visit for a bit longer period or the two of you can travel back to the US and get married and then you can apply for a spouse visa from there. That way you can move to the UK with a spouse visa and begin working right away.

OR

Another option is to plan your visit, meet, you go back to the US get a fiance visa and move to the UK and get married here. Down side to that? You have to get another visa in 6 months once you're married and you can't work until you have the next visa (no work, paid or unpaid, no volunteering, no apprenticing...nada).


So, you really need to meet in person first and then discuss the future. Who knows you could decide that the internet has been kind and they're just not right for you after all.

Best of luck!