Hi bigfatnick,
I have nothing to offer re your specific question/s but you certainly seem to have the right attitude and are obviously intelligent enough to realise that your lack of ties equals freedom and freedom is the one thing everyone seeks but has no idea how to achieve it, the only skill you need is the ability to maintain that freedom. You know what you want - go for it now - tomorrow may be too late or other parts of your anatomy will take over and rule your head… never say never! Go for it, your backup will far outweigh your lack of experience, in any event it may take several months to complete the transition, start now.
Good luck, trucker29690 (Expat 14 years in France)