El Legado has four floor plans from which to choose, and when purchasing an apartment, has four prices.  The smallest unit has 990 square feet, one bedroom, one bath, a terrace and sells for $182,000.  The next size has 1,100 square feet, one bedroom, one bath, a terrace and sells for $199,000.  Next is the 1,320 square foot unit with two bedrooms, two baths, a terrace and a balcony for $229,000.  The most expensive unit has 1,430 square feet, two bedrooms, two baths, a terrace, a balcony and a laundry room for $249,000.   Elegant touches, including solid wood doors, a fully-equipped Italian kitchen and granite and marble finishing, are standard in each residence, as is 24-hour emergency assistance.

Not everyone is comfortable with buying property in Mexico so for those who would rather rent than purchase, the apartments are available for lease and come unfurnished or quite elegantly furnished.  The one bedroom units rent for $1,455 (unfurnished) or $1,910 per month (furnished) , and the two bedroom units rent for $1,730 (unfurnished) or $2,180 per month (furnished).   Call (818) 388-1255 for more information.

Standard services include 24-hour security, maintenance and access to an on-site swimming pool, a state-of-the-art gym, a chapel, a library, a movie theater, a spa, restaurants and a business center.  Optional services, such as daily meals and dry cleaning, are available for an extra charge.   El Legado has a full-time events director so activities, including painting classes, reading workshops, pilates, wine tastings, arts and crafts classes, poker games and outings such as trips to museums, theaters and shopping centers, are readily available.

Monterrey, Mexico's third largest city, was founded in 1596 and boasts Colonial-era attractions, elegant hotels and an active cultural scene.  It attracts weekend visitors from the U.S. and has a high-concentration of English-speakers; in many ways visiting the city is similar to visiting the American southwest.  In recent years, Monterrey has taken steps to protect its historic past and has remodeled much of its downtown area.   And while much of Mexico has a cost-of-living significantly below the U.S. national average, Monterrey's living costs rival those found many major U.S. cities.

There are essentially three immigration levels to explore when considering retiring to Mexico.  A person can stay on a tourist visa; this involves crossing the border and re-entering the country every six months.  Those 55 and better can apply for an FM3 visa which allows one to stay in the country as a non-immigrant for one year; this permit can be renewed annually.  The FM2 allows one to become an immigrant and offers many of the same rights that Mexican citizens have.  Retirees are expected to live on income generated outside of the country.