Hor Al Anz Dubai is one of the oldest residential pockets of Deira, sitting inland from Dubai Creek in the city’s eastern quarter. It’s split into two distinct sub-communities — Hor Al Anz and Hor Al Anz East — and today it’s best known for affordable rents, dense multicultural living, and easy Green Line metro access.
This guide covers the verified history, transport, demographics, rental costs, schools, and a straight answer to “is it a good place to live” — built from official and licensed real estate sources, not recycled blog copy.
Hor Al Anz Dubai Fact File
| Location | Deira, East Dubai |
| Sub-communities | Hor Al Anz (near Dubai Hospital) and Hor Al Anz East (toward Al Ittihad Road/Sharjah) |
| Boundaries | Abu Baker Al Siddique Rd (D82) · Al Ittihad Rd (E11) · Al Rasheed Rd (D82) · Baghdad Street (D95) |
| Population | 40,302 (last official census, 2000) — no newer government figure has been published |
| Nearest metro (Green Line) | Abu Baker Al Siddique, Abu Hail, Al Qiyadah |
| Known for | Affordable apartments, Al Ghurair Group HQ, dense multicultural community |
| Postal code | No dedicated postcode — Dubai uses PO Box addressing; Deira Main PO Box is 88878 |
Where Is Hor Al Anz Dubai? Location & Boundaries
Hor Al Anz Dubai sits roughly 6 km northeast of Dubai Creek, bordered on all four sides by major roads:
| Direction | Border Road |
|---|---|
| North | Al Ittihad Road (E11) — the main Dubai–Sharjah highway |
| West | Abu Baker Al Siddique Road (D82) |
| South | Al Rasheed Road (D82) |
| East | Baghdad Street (D95) |
It neighbours Al Rigga, Rigga Al Buteen, and Muteena, and is one of the closer Dubai communities to the Sharjah border.
Hor Al Anz vs. Hor Al Anz East — What’s the Difference?
Most guides skip this, but it matters for anyone actually flat-hunting here:
| Hor Al Anz | Hor Al Anz East | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Closer to Dubai Hospital, more central | Closer to Al Ittihad Road, toward Sharjah |
| Character | Older buildings, denser retail strip | Slightly newer stock, more hotel apartments |
| Nearest metro | Abu Baker Al Siddique | Al Qiyadah |
| Typical resident | Long-term working professionals | Mixed — professionals and hotel-apartment stays |
Getting Around: Metro, Bus & Roads
Metro
Hor Al Anz is served by three Green Line stations, not two:
| Station | Serves |
|---|---|
| Abu Baker Al Siddique | Main Hor Al Anz |
| Abu Hail | Central Hor Al Anz / Abu Hail Centre area |
| Al Qiyadah | Hor Al Anz East |
Buses & Roads
RTA bus routes through this area change periodically, so rather than list specific numbers that may be outdated by the time you read this, check the current routes on the RTA Dubai app or rta.ae before relying on a bus service.
For driving: Al Ittihad Road (E11) connects directly to Sharjah and, via Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, to Dubai International Airport. Salah Al Din Street and Street 38A are the main internal arteries.
Parking note: this is one of the older, denser parts of Dubai — street parking is genuinely tight during weekday commute hours. Most residents rely on the metro rather than driving locally.
History & the Story Behind the Name
The name has two parts. “Hor” in this context refers to a collapsed sand dune, not a creek as some sources claim. “Al Anz” was the name of a horse belonging to Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum, a former Ruler of Dubai — not Sheikh Rashid, as is sometimes incorrectly repeated online. According to the historical record, the horse collapsed and died in this area and was buried in a sand dune here, which is how the locality got its name.
Hor Al Anz Dubai is one of the oldest developed localities in Deira, dating back to the early-to-mid 20th century as Dubai’s urban expansion moved inland from the Creek. Today it retains a visible mix of older low-rise buildings and shopfronts alongside newer residential blocks — a genuinely “old Dubai” feel that’s increasingly rare closer to the city centre.
Demographics & Who Lives Here
The only officially sourced population figure available is 40,302, from the 2000 census. No verified, updated government figure has been published since — treat any specific “current population” number you see elsewhere with caution unless it links to Dubai Statistics Center data.
What’s well documented is the community makeup: Hor Al Anz Dubai is home to a large multicultural population, with sizeable communities from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Nigeria/Sub-Saharan Africa, alongside Arab and other Asian residents.
One genuine point of disagreement between sources is worth flagging honestly: some real estate portals describe Hor Al Anz as dominated by single working professionals with few families, while others market it as family-friendly, citing nearby schools and parks. In practice, both are true depending on which pocket you’re in — Hor Al Anz East and the areas near Hor Al Anz Park have more families and villas, while the denser central strip skews toward professional/bachelor accommodation.
Renting in Hor Al Anz Dubai
Hor Al Anz is consistently cited as one of the more affordable areas in Dubai’s eastern districts, which is its main draw.
| Property type | Typical profile |
|---|---|
| Apartments | Mostly 1–3 bedroom flats, central A/C, built-in wardrobes, covered parking in newer buildings |
| Villas | A smaller stock, concentrated in Hor Al Anz East, with dedicated garages |
| Older buildings | Street parking only, simpler finishes, lowest rents |
Because listing prices shift constantly, don’t rely on a static number in a guide like this — check live rental data on Bayut or Property Finder’s Hor Al Anz community pages for current asking rents before budgeting.
Schools & Nurseries Nearby
Families considering Hor Al Anz have several options within a short drive:
| School/Nursery | Notes |
|---|---|
| Little Flower English School | ~0.4 km from the community |
| Pearl Wisdom School Dubai | ~0.8 km from the community |
| Lycee Francais International Prive de Dubai (AFLEC) | KHDA-rated “Outstanding” |
| MAS Education Institute | Located within the community |
(Ratings and distances change — verify current KHDA inspection results before enrolling.)
Daily Life & Amenities
| Category | What’s Available |
|---|---|
| Groceries | Carrefour and Lulu outlets, plus a grocery vendor on nearly every block |
| Healthcare | New Medical Centre and several private clinics |
| Worship | Multiple mosques throughout the community |
| Recreation | Hor Al Anz Park — football pitches, playgrounds, picnic areas |
| Government services | Deira Central Post Office and nearby government service centres |
| Dining | A wide spread of South Asian, Filipino, and Arab restaurants reflecting the resident population |
Landmarks & Places to Know
| Landmark | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Al Ghurair Group Headquarters | One of the UAE’s major business groups is headquartered here |
| Hor Al Anz Park | The community’s main green space and social hub |
| Al Mulla Plaza | Local shopping and business centre |
| Ramada Continental Hotel | Long-established hotel used for events and stays |
| Deira Central Post Office | Main postal facility for the area |
Is Hor Al Anz Dubai a Good Place to Live?
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Rents notably lower than central and newer Dubai districts | Traffic and street parking are genuinely difficult during peak hours |
| Strong, walkable community feel with everyday amenities close by | Buildings and infrastructure in the older core show their age |
| Direct access to three Green Line metro stations | Proximity to Al Ittihad Road brings road noise in parts of the community |
| Genuine “old Dubai” character with markets and street-level retail | Family-oriented amenities are more concentrated in Hor Al Anz East than the central area |
| Good access to schools, a post office, and healthcare within walking distance | Less polished than newer masterplanned communities — worth an in-person visit before committing |
Bottom line: Hor Al Anz Dubai suits budget-conscious professionals and long-term expat families who want an authentic, densely-connected neighbourhood with strong transit access, over residents prioritising modern buildings or a quiet, low-density feel. Hor Al Anz East is the better pick specifically for families; the central strip suits singles and professionals wanting to be walking distance from the metro and retail.
How Hor Al Anz Compares to Nearby Areas
| Area | Rent Level vs. Hor Al Anz | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Al Rigga | Similar to slightly higher | Nightlife, dining, slightly more polished buildings |
| Deira (Corniche/Creek side) | Higher | Waterfront views, tourism proximity |
| Muteena | Comparable | Budget renters wanting a quieter street feel |
| Al Qusais | Slightly lower to comparable | Families wanting larger units, more villas |
FAQs Hor Al Anz Dubai
What is Hor Al Anz’s postal code?
Dubai doesn’t use area-specific postcodes; general correspondence uses the generic 00000, and PO Box mail for this area routes through Deira Main PO Box 88878.
Is Hor Al Anz good for families?
Partially — Hor Al Anz East and the areas near Hor Al Anz Park suit families better than the denser central strip, which leans toward single professionals.
Which metro station is closest to Hor Al Anz?
Abu Baker Al Siddique and Abu Hail serve central Hor Al Anz; Al Qiyadah serves Hor Al Anz East.
Why is it called Hor Al Anz?
“Hor” refers to a collapsed sand dune, and “Al Anz” was the name of a horse belonging to former Dubai ruler Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum, who is said to have died and been buried in a dune in this area.
What’s the population of Hor Al Anz?
The last officially sourced figure is 40,302 from the 2000 census; no verified newer government count has been published.
