Q: I keep hearing talk about retiring to Mexico. Considering how expensive healthcare, housing and everything else is in the US, and rising all the time, it sounds like a good idea. Especially for those of us with fixed incomes. We're barely making it from month to month on my pension and our Social Security checks.

We travel to Mexico frequently, sometimes on cruises to the beautiful Lower Baja coastal cities, and have always enjoyed our trips. My spouse speaks and writes Spanish, so we wouldn’t have language problems. What’s your take on it? PJMcW, Boston MA

A: Best idea is to pick a city or town in Mexico, and rent an apartment or condo for a month or so. Get familiar with the land, people, culture, living costs, medical facilities, personal safety issues, sanitation and other concerns. Talk to other North Americans who’ve lived there awhile and hear their highs and lows about it.

Mexico has long been a favorite destination for senior vacationers. On both the East and West coasts, it has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Just recently we took a tour of a mostly U.S. and Canadian retirement community on the beach about 50 miles south of Tijuana.

You made your room registration long in advance, gave credit card info and the hotel confirmed. Then it happens! After a long, tiring flight, you arrive and the front desk clerk says there’s no room for you.

The lame excuses start. All booked up solid, and many people who were supposed to check out decided to stay another night. So sorry. However, we can get you a room at a hotel nearby. Of course, the rate is a bit higher ... etc... etc.

The 23rd annual event is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, June 27-28, along historic Pennsylvania Avenue. Sponsored by Safeway, it benefits DC Children’s Charities, The Capital Area Food Bank and USO of Metropolitan Washington.

The program includes outdoor BBQ demos by celeb and military chefs, plus cash-award cooking competitions. Also delicious free samples, food and wine for sale, music, interactive exhibits and lots of other fun events. For more info and ticket prices, go to www.eventbrite.com

According to the survey company and British Airways, seniors now in their late 60s and early 70s say their biggest regret is missing out on roaming the world. Now entering sunset years, if they had to do it over, they would hit the road more often.

So, senior-stay-at-home, take the hint and start planning for travel while you’re still able to get around. Stroll the boulevards of Paris, cruise the Caribbean, climb to the top of Machu Picchu, bask in the sun at Waikiki and enjoy a Broadway musical. Get off that stuffy old couch and into new and exciting adventures that await you!