Abu Dhabi · locations, communities, developers
Abu Dhabi, location by location
Foreigners can only buy in Abu Dhabi's designated investment zones, so the map of where you can own is the map of the market: the islands first, then the Raha waterfront and the mainland zones. This page sets them out with the communities on each and who builds there, and links the guides. Prices by community will follow when the capital publishes a transaction register like Dubai's.
Where foreigners can buy
The investment zones
Freehold for non-GCC nationals exists only inside these zones. Outside them, foreigners hold long leases or usufruct, not title. GCC nationals buy more widely.
7 communities
Saadiyat Island
The cultural island: Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Guggenheim site, NYU and the beach clubs. The most expensive address in the emirate and the one foreign buyers search for most.
- Saadiyat Grove
- Saadiyat Lagoons
- Mamsha Al Saadiyat
- Saadiyat Beach Residences
- Louvre Abu Dhabi Residences
- Saadiyat Reserve
- Nobu Residences
9 communities
Yas Island
Ferrari World, the F1 circuit, Yas Mall and a ring of family villa communities. Mid-market to upper-mid, strong rental demand from the leisure workforce.
- Yas Acres
- Yas Bay
- Noya
- Yas Park Gate
- Yas Golf Collection
- Water's Edge
- Mayan
- Ansam
- West Yas
9 communities
Al Reem Island
The dense apartment island next to the centre, Abu Dhabi's Marina. The largest resale market open to foreigners and the easiest to let.
- Shams Abu Dhabi
- Marina Square
- City of Lights
- Reem Hills
- Najmat
- Pixel
- Reem Nine
- Gate Towers
- Sun and Sky Towers
4 communities
Al Maryah Island
The financial free zone (ADGM), Galleria Mall and Cleveland Clinic. Few homes, high quality, a professional tenant base.
- Four Seasons Private Residences
- Rosewood Residences
- Al Maryah Vista
- Sama Yas
8 communities
Al Raha Beach and Khalifa City
Mainland waterfront between the city and the airport. Established, family-led, close to schools and the Yas and Saadiyat bridges.
- Al Raha Beach
- Al Bandar
- Al Zeina
- Al Muneera
- Al Hadeel
- Al Raha Gardens
- Khalifa City
- Al Reef
6 communities
Masdar City and the mainland zones
The low-carbon city by the airport and the newer mainland investment zones: value, long payment plans, a technology and university workforce.
- Masdar City
- Al Ghadeer
- Al Shamkha (Alreeman)
- Al Jubail Island
- Zayed City
- Bloom Living
6 communities
Hudayriyat, Fahid and the new islands
The next decade's launches: Hudayriyat's sports city and villas, Fahid Island between Saadiyat and Yas, Ramhan Island's marina villas, Al Jurf on the Dubai road.
- Hudayriyat Island
- Fahid Island
- Ramhan Island
- Al Jurf Gardens
- Jubail Island
- Nareel Island
Who builds
Developers
One developer dominates: "Aldar properties" is searched more in Britain than every Abu Dhabi investment phrase combined.
Developers in the capital
Where each one builds
- AldarThe market. Saadiyat, Yas, Reem Hills, Al Raha; most launches foreign buyers hear about are Aldar's.
- ImkanAl Jurf, Pixel on Reem, Nudra on Saadiyat.
- ModonHudayriyat Island, Riyadh City; the government's large-scale builder.
- BloomBloom Living in Zayed City, Bloom Marina, Soho Square on Saadiyat.
- ReportageVolume apartments on Masdar and the mainland zones.
- Eagle Hills and othersRamhan Island, plus Baraka, Q Properties and the Dubai developers now launching in the capital.
Abu Dhabi against Dubai, in one card
From the research and the register
- DemandUK searches for Abu Dhabi are 4% of Dubai's; US searches 2%.
- LiquidityDubai registers more than 10,733 residential sales a month; Abu Dhabi's whole first half of 2026 was 16,838 transactions.
- PriceDubai's registered median is AED 1,689 per sq ft; Abu Dhabi runs lower per foot except on Saadiyat and Yas.
- YieldQuoted gross yields are a point higher on Reem and Yas than in prime Dubai; asking-rent figures until a register exists.
- VisasThe Golden Visa is federal: AED 2,000,000 of property in either emirate.
Guides
Read before you choose
- Abu Dhabi or Dubai: which is the better investment?
- Property for sale in Abu Dhabi
- Golden Visa through property (federal, both emirates)
- Property in Dubai for foreigners: the ownership rules
- Abu Dhabi is four per cent of Dubai for foreign buyers
- Dubai, location by location
Data note: the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre publishes totals and a rental index, not a sale-by-sale register, so this page carries no community prices. When transaction-level data is published the index gains an Abu Dhabi series and these communities get the same pages Dubai's have. Sources: ADREC H1 2026 release, ICP Golden Visa rules, the October 2026 search research.
Price index alerts
Hear when the Abu Dhabi series starts
Every Monday: the Dubai index, and the Abu Dhabi figures the moment the capital publishes them. One email a week, from Natalie.
Talk to Natalie
Abu Dhabi is best decided inside the Dubai conversation
Natalie advises on both markets from The Oppenheim Group's Dubai office. Tell her the budget and the plan; she will say which island, or which Dubai community, fits it.