Rio and Kate Ferdinand announced last week they have upped sticks and moved from Bromley in South East London to Dubai.

The ex-footballer, aged 46, along with the 34-year-old TOWIE celebrity and their five children, have joined a host of other celebrities in choosing to move to the United Arab Emirates. They are setting off for a fresh start in the hot, sunny climate, embracing a glamorous lifestyle free from taxes. 

Topping the A-list residents of the area is Lindsay Lohan, who confirmed her move to the United Arab Emirates in April 2020 after living in Dubai for the better part of seven years, having fallen in love with the safety and privacy of the city. 

Dubai is also a hot spot for reality stars, with Kate’s former love rival Amber Turner, who dated her ex Dan Edgar, also moving to the city, where she documents her life of busy brunches and gruelling workouts at Barry’s Bootcamp. 

Amir Khan meanwhile revealed he turned to the UAE when he was left feeling unsafe in the UK following a gunpoint robbery in London. So which stars have swapped the drizzle for the desert?

Rio, 46, and Kate Ferdinand, 34, announced last week they have upped sticks and moved from Bromley in South East London to Dubai

The former footballer and TOWIE star and their five children have joined a slew of stars in making the decision to jet off to the United Arab Emirates for a new life in the sweltering sun – filled with glamour and a tax-free life

Lindsay Lohan 

Lindsay Lohan confirmed her move to the United Arab Emirates in April 2020 after living in Dubai for the better part of seven years.

Lindsay’s husband, Credit Suisse financier Bader Shammas, is a Dubai resident, and the actress admitted she felt a ‘sense of calm’ after making it their permanent home.

She told Vogue in 2022: ‘It just really happened, how I moved to Dubai. 

‘I got there, and I felt a certain sense of calm. I think it’s because paparazzi is illegal there. I really found that I had a private life, and I could just take time for myself…

‘I decided to stay there because I really learned to appreciate what it is to go, do my work, and then leave and live a normal life.’

The actress first visited Dubai in 2008 while attending the launch of Atlantis, the Palm, and she claims it has given her a better quality of life.

Topping the A-list residents of the area is Lindsay Lohan, who confirmed her move to the United Arab Emirates in April 2020 after living in Dubai for the better part of seven years

Lindsay’s husband, Credit Suisse financier Bader Shammas, is a Dubai resident, and the actress admitted she felt a ‘sense of calm’ after making it their permanent home

She said: ‘It took me moving there [to Dubai] to really appreciate the time that I take for myself, instead of just going, going, going and learning to say “no”. 

‘And really putting myself first, and choosing the things that I want to do, wisely, for me first.’

Last month, Lindsay spoke on Live With Kelly and Mark about what she loves about the UAE hotspot – playing particular emphasis on privacy and safety.

On Dubai life, she said: ‘It’s just far away from Hollywood, and I live a very normal life. 

‘There’s no worry of like, “I can’t go eat at this place ’cause someone’s gonna take a picture of my son”, I feel very safe.’

Lindsay explained one of her main joys of the city is the law on paparazzi, saying: ‘It’s not legal. 

‘You can’t take a picture of someone else if you’re in a restaurant. You have to ask the person, which is a big difference from here. Privacy is key.’

Amir Khan 

Amir Khan meanwhile revealed he turned to the UAE when he was left feeling unsafe in the UK following a gunpoint robbery in London

He relocated to Dubai and purchased a lavish pad with his wife Faryal and their three young children

Earlier this year, boxer Amir Khan revealed he fled to Dubai following a terrifying gunpoint robbery which left him feeling too scared to stay in Britain.

The I’m A Celeb star was targeted for his £72,000 Franck Muller Vanguard Chronograph watch as he dined with his wife Faryal Makhdoom and friend Omar Khalid at the Sahara Grill in Leyton, east London.

An armed robber ran at Khan and yelled at him to ‘take off the watch’, while pointing a gun to his face on April 18, 2022.

The retired boxer’s family home is in his native Bolton, but he also owns a palatial holiday home in the UAE after originally announcing plans to invest there in 2002.

He finally came good on the claim in 2022 by snapping up a luxury coastal property for himself, wife Faryal and their three young children. Showing off the lavish pad on Instagram, he wrote: ‘Just bought my family a holiday home in Dubai.’

The former sportsman also credited his close friend Maaz Jethwa – founder of the UAE-based company New Door – for helping him decide on the property.

‘Thanks to Maaz Jethwa for finding me my perfect place,’ he wrote alongside a picture of the pair outside his new home.

Amber Turner 

Kate’s former love rival Amber Turner, who dated her ex Dan Edgar, also moved to Dubai, where she documents her life of busy brunches and gruelling workouts at Barry’s Bootcamp

Amber relocated to Dubai following her split from Dan Edgar in 2023 and she has now found love again with boyfriend Archie Chandler

Amber relocated to Dubai following her split from Dan Edgar in 2023 and she has now found love again with boyfriend Archie Chandler.

In September, insiders said: ‘She has known Archie for months now and the pair have often spent time together in Dubai but she’s still taking their relationship slowly.’

Despite living abroad, the stunner, who has been a cast member on TOWIE since 2017, still jets back to shoot the show alongside her close pals.

In a recent episode, she spoke to her pals Chloe Meadows, Courtney Green and Harry Derbidge about holidays – to which they suggested visiting her in Dubai as they would have ‘free accommodation’ by staying with the star.

Laura Anderson 

Former airline stewardess Laura Anderson swapped her native Scotland for some much needed sunshine on the Arab Peninsula in May 2021

The TV personality is now permanently based in the UK with her daughter Bonnie, who she shares with her ex Gary Lucy

Former airline stewardess Laura Anderson swapped her native Scotland for some much needed sunshine on the Arab Peninsula in May 2021.

Four years after finding fame in the Love Island villa, Laura moved into a lavish penthouse with then boyfriend Dane Bowers – best known as a former member of ’90s R&B band Another Level.

Following the move she wasted no time in flooding her Instagram grid with images of the luxury home, complete with stunning views of the neighbouring Dubai Marina.

However there would soon be trouble in paradise for Laura, who relocated to London after splitting with Bowers in 2022 following a five year romance.

The TV personality is now permanently based in the UK with her daughter Bonnie, who she shares with her ex Gary Lucy. 

Arabella Chi

New mum Arabella Chi revealed last month she is making another major life change and moving to Dubai this year

The Love Island star, 34, welcomed her baby daughter Gigi with businessman Billy Henty in May 

Love Island star Arabella Chi, 34, welcomed her baby daughter Gigi with businessman Billy Henty in May.

The new mum revealed last month she is making another major life change and moving to Dubai this year.

She often shares her lavish jet setting lifestyle and sun-kissed getaways, which she can look forward to enjoying more often as she relocated to the UAE.

Speaking to her followers on Instagram, she shared: ‘We’re actually moving to Dubai next month so there’s a lot of change going on at the moment.

‘I’m looking forward to just being settled and just enjoying new life in Dubai,’ she added.’