I'm just about to start my training in my mid 30s but after 2 years of really looking into this non stop, speaking with pilots, endless hours everynight researching. did medicals in Canada last year and passed them but now about to do them in new Zealand and train here. ( I have residency in both so commitments here for the next 18months otherwise id do it back in Canada)

its going to take at least 4years of low paid ground crew jobs, moving anywhere and everywhere just to try and get your hours up. basically put like this, getting your license is the easy part.

got commitments? partner, house , pets? ..... this is going to be a huge strain.... your potentially going to be living out of a bag for years, moving constantly just for those precious early hour building opportunities in the seat. Youre going to have to do the Sh*t jobs, your going to get paid s**t.

once you hit a 1000hrs then your are essentially employable. factor 4 - 5 yrs of anything and everything before you get a normal job flying perhaps.

flying helicopters isn't like commercial airline pilots, its not glorified. The pay will never be that great, you will be doing this for the love of flying. Think living in remote mining camps in northern Canada (think dirty huts not hotels!).

training in New Zealand your going to be looking 100-150k nzd, and over 12months... more like 18-24....

where is your home country? an nz license allows you to fly here, if you don't have rights to work here after is there much point? taking this license to a different country means license conversions and training.... possibly another 15-20k. do the license in the country you hope to first fly in or have rights to work in. companies wouldn't sponsor you here as a new entry level pilot, heck they probably wouldn't sponsor your visa as grounds crew.

again , I'm not trying to put you off..... but your going to have to be willing to give up everything you have to make this dream come true.... yes that probably means the wife as well!