Bali's virtual directory of real property.

There are six main areas where foreigners collect on the island; many of the properties listed for sale tend to be concentrated in the same locations:

• The Bukit
• The greater Kuta/Seminyak area
• Jimbaran
• Nusa Dua
• Sanur
• Ubud

The Bukit, which is the area referred to as everything south of Jimbaran, is an area that as of yet does not have much infrastructure or tourism. It is known predominantly for its white sandy beaches, great surf locations, imposing cliff-tops, and varied landscape. There has been considerable interest in this area over the last few years for building, but presently there are very few existing houses that are available for sale. The majority of people who own houses in the Bukit have built them for their own usage, so there is a very small resale market. One of the issues with the Bukit is its distance from certain things, such as nightlife and restaurants.

The greater Kuta/Seminyak area is the hotbed of activity in Bali. Kuta is essentially the birthplace of tourism in Bali as it’s surfing beaches drew the first foreigners to the island as early as 1960. This is subsequently the area where the concentration of tourist activity is located, including a plethora of souvenier shops, cheap restaurants, bars, and budget accomodation. Due to the high level of commercialism in the area, it is the busiest area of the island, and can be overwhelming at times with a heavy onset of traffic and peddlers. For these reasons it is not a very popular residential area. Adjacent to Kuta is the Legian area, which boasts more upscale shopping and international dining. Although a number of expatriates used to call this area home, and some still do, increasing land prices and congestion has led many to move further out of town to areas such as Seminyak, Oberoi and Kerobokan. Seminyak is located just outside this tourist hub, and its urban setting plays host to a large number of rental and residential properties and villas as well as chic nightspots and eateries. One can find both commercial and residential components in Seminyak, as well as largely undeveloped areas composed of vacant lots interspersed amongst ricefields. With the combined allure of being close to town and yet far enough away to maintain a semblance of serentiy, Oberoi plays host to luxury hotels and fabulous beachfront restaurants and bars, and properties with excellent views, as does Kerobokan, which is even more rural surroundings and plenty of lovely scenery.

Jimbaran is a renowned area because of the presence of the world famous Four Seasons and the Ritz Carleton. Jimbaran boasts a fishing beach, and a small but growing residential community. More and more commercial villas and villas to rent are available in the area as it is close to the airport, and has the cachet of being close to those five star resorts. With hills meeting the beach, it has become an increasingly popular area in which to purchase.

Nusa Dua is located on the southeastern tip of Bali, and is renowned for its picturesque manicured beaches and five star hotels. It targets an upmarket crowd, and is free of many of the hassles and congestion of the Kuta area, but because it largely caters to hotel guests, most villas built in the area are for residential purposes, and are difficult to rent. Nusa Dua is a popular daytime destination for expatriots and their families. The Bali Golf and Country Club, with its eighteen-hole golf course is another highlight of Nusa Dua.

Sanur was one of the original vacation destinations in Bali. Some of the first hotels in Bali dating back to the 1920s and 1930s were built in Sanur. These days it tends to be considered more of a 3 or 4 star package destination. It lacks a vibrant nightlife, but there are many shops and basic restaurants, as well as easy access to the many schools in the area. The majority of the Western residents in Sanur tend to be retirees and people with families.

Ubud is known for being the artistic center of Bali. It has been becoming increasingly popular as a rental area because it is perceived as not being commercialized to the same degree as some of the southern parts of Bali. The majority of foreigners who live in Ubud send their children to schools further south of the island.