Dubai’s warm weather, improved quality of life, and tax-free income are attracting a growing number of celebrities and well-known individuals.
Add in Labour’s controversial new mansion tax to the mix and cue a brand new wave of movers.
Dubai used to be mostly known as a destination for social media influencers and reality TV stars. However, this year it’s attracting a more diverse crowd, including business leaders and professional athletes.
Recently, reality TV star Luisa Zissman, 38, announced she’s moving to a popular location among celebrities with two of her three children. She’ll be joining her husband, Irish millionaire Andrew Collins, 59, who has already moved there from the UK.
She joined Kate, Rio Ferdinand, Petra Ecclestone, and her husband Sam Palmer in relocating to a new location.
So what has temped these rich and powerful stars to uproot their lives and escape Britain?
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Luisa Zissman
Luisa recently revealed that she and her family are moving to Dubai.
She’s moving to the UAE with her family because she’s had enough of the weather and crime in the UK.
Luisa shared a photo of herself in a yellow bikini on Sunday and announced she’s moving to Dubai from the UK, which she described as ‘miserable.’ She believes the move will significantly improve her life, offering both financial advantages and a better lifestyle.
She excitedly shared that she and Kate Ferdinand will be living near each other, as she and her husband Rio recently moved to Dubai.
Luisa shared that she’s moving with two of her three children to be with her husband, Andrew Collins, an Irish millionaire who has already moved from the UK.
She also mentioned that her oldest daughter, 15-year-old Dixie, who she shares with her former husband, Oliver Zissman, will stay in the UK to complete her schooling at boarding school.
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A follower recently asked Luisa why she moved away from the UK, wondering if it was a better environment for her children and offered a better work-life balance. They ended their message with a thank you.
Honestly, when I considered moving abroad, it wasn’t a difficult decision. I realized everything I was looking for – a better quality of life, financial stability, even just good weather – was simply easier to find elsewhere. I was tired of the constant gloom, both in the skies and, frankly, in the general mood. It felt like a clear sign it was time for a change, and looking around at the possibilities really confirmed that for me.
Luisa recently shared details about her challenging relocation to the UAE, which involves bringing five of her horses and two nannies with her to Dubai.
Luisa recently shared that their move to Dubai has been incredibly busy. Between getting the kids settled in school, transporting their five horses (which was the most challenging part!), packing and shipping everything, and arranging visas for their two nannies who are joining them, it’s been a whirlwind!
We’re taking a week to unwind in the Maldives before moving to our new home in Dubai! We’re really excited about this next step in our journey.
Just a quick update on a couple of things I’ve been asked: The LuAnna podcast with Anna Williamson will continue as usual. And my mum isn’t moving in with us, but she’s already booked several flights to come and visit!
I’m thrilled to share some personal news! We’ve decided to make Champneys 2 our permanent home. It’s no longer just a winter escape – we’re settling in for the long term, and it feels wonderful. So, for now, that’s us signing off from England!
Petra Ecclestone
Oh my gosh, you guys, can you BELIEVE it? I just found out that Petra Ecclestone – yes, the Petra, from the Formula 1 family – is moving to the Persian Gulf! I’ve been following her for ages, and I’m so curious about what she’ll do over there. It’s just… amazing!
The daughter of billionaire Bernie Ecclestone is moving to Dubai in the new year.
Petra and her husband, Sam Palmer, are moving to the UAE very soon. The 42-year-old estate agent, originally from Essex, says she’s incredibly excited about the move.
The couple owns properties in both Los Angeles and London. They currently live in a $65 million French-style chateau in Los Angeles, and also maintain a $170 million mansion in Chelsea, west London.
Petra, 37, complained earlier this year about how her life in California had deteriorated.
A mother of four expressed her concern about the high rate of crime in the United States, saying she wants a safe place for her children to grow up. She specifically mentioned gun violence and shootings as major worries.
Right before Christmas, we were ice skating with our children when a homeless man unexpectedly collapsed and died nearby. We also witnessed people smoking crack, and we don’t want to expose our kids to that kind of environment.
Petra and her first husband, James Stunt, who is the father of her three oldest children, got divorced in 2017 after being married for six years.
Speaking in London, she stated that while she enjoys the city, she and her family won’t be returning to live there due to personal circumstances.
In 2019, thieves targeted the Kensington home of her sister, Tamara, and stole £26 million worth of jewelry. While three of the burglars were sent back to their home country, they only managed to return £37,000 of the stolen money.
Tamara explained that while she hadn’t received any money for the burglary, no amount of money could ever make up for how frightening and violating the home invasion was.
My kids are scared the burglars might come back while they’re asleep, and I don’t believe they’ll ever be held accountable for what they did.
Kate and Rio Ferdinand
Kate, 34, a star on the reality show TOWIE, and her husband Rio, 46, a professional footballer, moved from southeast London to the United Arab Emirates in August for a change of scenery and some sunshine.
According to the Daily Mail, the couple recently purchased a £6.5 million home in the upscale, private community of Al Barari. The property was listed for 32.5 million dirhams (approximately £6.55 million) as of April.
Rio and Kate announced on Instagram in August that they’re moving to the UAE. They described feeling a mix of excitement, nervousness, and fear about the change, but are looking forward to a “fresh start” in the city where they first met eight years ago.
Kate shared her excitement about a new beginning, saying they’re finally taking a leap and pursuing a dream they’ve discussed for a long time. They’re building a home together in the city where they first met, and she feels hopeful about what the future holds.
Already missing some of our favorite things, and feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement – but mostly, we’re looking forward to new opportunities and a fresh start! ❤️
Rio recently explained why he moved to Dubai shortly after leaving his job as a sports commentator for TNT Sports.
The former Manchester United and England player said in May that he was leaving his job with the broadcaster at the end of the season to concentrate on his other business ventures.
After a decade working for TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport), Ferdinand is moving to the United Arab Emirates with his family. This move is happening even though his 19-year-old son, Lorenz, just signed his first professional soccer contract with Brighton in July.
It wasn’t just one thing that led to my decision,” Ferdinand explained to The National. “I attended the Global Soccer Awards over Christmas, and it had been about seven or eight years since I’d really been involved. I used to go regularly before that.
I recently had the chance to connect with some of my partner Kate’s friends who live in the area, and it really opened my eyes to a whole new perspective. Plus, I’ve got a business out there called Football Escapes, so I’m often spending time exploring everything it has to offer!
Dubai offers a lifestyle where families feel valued and energized. People enjoy a happy and safe environment with great weather, and the opportunity to start fresh.
I was ready for a change. For the past decade, my life revolved around my work with TV broadcasting after retiring from playing. When I decided to step down, I realized how much of my life – almost 30 years – had been dictated by the schedule of games. But that’s no longer the case. I’m still involved in football, but it doesn’t control my life anymore, and honestly, it feels good to have that freedom.
The Manchester United icon also shared that a major reason for the transfer was ensuring his children received a good education.
I considered moving, and when we visited the schools in February, it reminded me to think about it again.
That felt like a turning point for me, because the new school seemed like a much better fit for my kids. It’s ideal that they’re starting at age 14, as it’s the beginning of their two years of GCSE studies this August.
With a four-year-old and a two-year-old, this feels like a great fit for our kids. It’s an English curriculum, but taught in a unique and engaging way.
‘I feel the teachers in the UK feel a little bit like undervalued, underpaid.’
Kate an Rio share son Cree, four, and daughter Shae, two.
Kate is the stepmother to Rio Ferdinand’s three children – Lorenz, 19, Tate, 17, and Tia, 13 – from his previous marriage to Rebecca Ellison, who sadly passed away in 2015.
Amir Khan
The former boxer’s main home is in his hometown of Bolton, but he also has a luxurious vacation home in the UAE, a purchase he first mentioned back in 2002.
In 2022, he fulfilled his promise by purchasing a beautiful coastal home for himself, his wife Faryal Makhdoom, and their three children.
He announced on Instagram that he had purchased a vacation home in Dubai for his family.
The retired athlete also thanked his friend, Maaz Jethwa, who runs the UAE company New Door, for his help in choosing the property.
He shared a photo of himself with Maaz Jethwa outside his new home, thanking Maaz for helping him find it.
Arabella Chi
Arabella announced in August that she and her partner, Billy Henty, were relocating to Dubai with their newborn daughter, Gigi.
At the time she shared a photo of her belongings packed into cardboard boxes.
She wrote alongside it: ‘All boxed up and ready to move out.’
Arabella first posted a picture of the view from her stylish Battersea apartment, and then shared a photo showing the apartment completely empty.
I’m so excited for her! She always posts the most amazing pictures of her travels and glamorous life, and now that she’s moved to the UAE, I know we’re going to see even more of those incredible sun-soaked adventures. I can’t wait to follow along!
She announced to her Instagram followers last summer that they would be moving to Dubai next month, and that things were changing a lot right now.
‘I’m looking forward to just being settled and just enjoying new life in Dubai,’ she added.’
Laura Anderson
In May 2021, Laura Anderson, a former flight attendant from Scotland, moved to the Arab Peninsula to enjoy warmer weather.
Four years after appearing on Love Island, Laura moved into a luxurious penthouse with her boyfriend at the time, Dane Bowers, who was a member of the 90s R&B group Another Level.
She immediately shared photos of her new, luxurious home on Instagram, showcasing its beautiful views of the Dubai Marina.
Laura’s happiness didn’t last long. After ending her five-year relationship with Bowers in 2022, she moved to London, but soon faced new difficulties.
The TV star now lives full-time in the UK with her daughter, Bonnie, whom she shares with her former partner, Gary Lucy.
Amber Turner
After ending her relationship with Dan Edgar in 2023, Amber moved to Dubai and has since found a new partner, Archie Chandler.
Sources revealed in September that she’s been acquainted with Archie for several months, and they’ve frequently met up in Dubai. However, she’s proceeding cautiously with their relationship.
Even though she lives outside the country, the reality star, who’s been on TOWIE since 2017, still flies back to film the show with her friends.
During a recent conversation with her friends Chloe Meadows, Courtney Green, and Harry Derbidge, she discussed potential holiday plans. They jokingly suggested visiting her in Dubai, pointing out they could stay with her for free.
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2025-12-21 17:51