The above are all good observations - especially WGs 3 points.
I started when I was 38 (some while ago now!) I just had to, because if not I would have always wondered what it would have been like.
I had a lucrative profession(?) to fall back on, which was essential to start. I stayed in the UK: my personal circs prompted that. I have done quite a lot of different flying and actually earned a living at it for 5 or 6 years. Now with 6,000 hours, for what that is worth. I am currently back sharing my time - the REAL job to earn proper money and the flying to feed my addiction.
It had to be done, I don't regret it at all, but there have been some hard times. To make progress I got involved in management of helicopter companies - generally a complete nightmare. I am now much more choosy about what I do flyingwise, because I can be. There are still 1 or 2 flying jobs I would go for full time, if I was offered them, but the shared existence seems to suit me well for now. I would be particularly interested in professional licence instructing again (about half my time has been instructing), except the pay is C**p. That sadly is the usual problem - the good jobs don't pay well.