Nigel
I'm in Dublin, Ireland.
I am self employed now for 7 years. I had been working for a large company but with the recession in Ireland the construction business was hit very hard, and the company I worked for, went under.
So I was forced into it really. That was a bad year, to say the least, lost my job, and statuary redundancy, and my lovely wife passed away.
So I had a 4 year old son, and no job, and the banks, freeze all your joint accounts when your wife or husband dies until probate is handled.
My case 2 years, as my wife was Italian.
Why am I telling you this because I had no choice but to pick myself up, and get working to bring in some money, mortgage and family, and lots of offers of financial aid from family, but your a grown man , stand on your own two feet.
So In short it is was difficult, but it suited me.
I could work the hours I need to work, and more. I did work all day, and then at night when my son went to sleep, which is never an easy job.
I worked night and it took a while to get stable.
It is not easy, as a self employed person, you are the director, manager, marketing , accountant, and financial manager.
Your dealing with good clients and bad ones.
Some pay straight away, others don't, chasing un-payed invoices is a big time wasting exercise.
I never switch off, as you do all the jobs that come in.
The more you do the better you get the faster you get.
I'm not rich, but I have a house now, and a new life, and it suites me.
Saying that there are no company over here taking on full time 3D people.
Revit modelers yes, Viz people purely for Viz, no.
So it's not easy. some days I would give my right arm to be in a big architectural company working with health and pension contributions, and the security of a bank balance every month. Not so in the SE world.
Some people want to run their own business and are quite successful at it.
Health and happiness comes first for me , not money.
The very best of luck with your decision.
Phil