It really depends on your level of commitment towards the profession.. I started at 30 with a PPL flying as a weekend hobby; 9 years later went for my CPL, left a well paid management job to start at the bottom again, as a "slave" dragging my family around the world as mentioned earlier in the replies; experienced all types of flying good and not so good, but 13 years later now on Puma offshore... would I do it again? NO for monetary reasons, YES for self achievement which drives me all the time
Don't expect to have a confortable retirement life (savings) if you choose to be a heli pilot as the income does not reflect what you will spend training up to acceptable employment levels
Most of the Offshore twin drivers I have met, flown with, are ex military, started their careers at a young age, then joined the civilian world upon exiting the Forces; these guys are doing ok for income; but if you start from the civilian side straight away, life can be monetary difficult..
So moral of the story for me: if flying is as important as breathing, then do it BUT if you look at it as a career at an older starting age, then NO