[chton]

As a consultant, I've known several programmers that started later in life. Some at 30, some at 40. One was a car mechanic for 20 years before starting a CS career. All of them are very good at their CS job. I think the years of experience in a non-CS branch helps them see different perspectives, things that career programmers tend to miss or consider unimportant.

So by all means, go for it. It might be a little more difficult to find a job than a younger person, but you'll manage. Good techies are always in short supply.