Robin Arora is a realtor at The Residential Group Realty and the owner of Citymax Properties, where he specializes in design, construction, and renovation projects. Since immigrating to Canada in 2005, Robin and his wife, Arisa Arora, have built a life in Langley, rooted in entrepreneurship, family values, and community.
Q. What inspired you to make the move to Canada, and how has your journey been so far?
A. Love. Simple as that. I fell in love with my wife. Ours was one of those long-distance relationships that, according to everyone around us, wasn’t supposed to work. But as they say, magic does happen. And when it does, you follow it… even if it takes you across the world.
Q. Where did you first stay when you arrived in Canada?
A. We started our life together in Vancouver’s West End, in a cozy apartment. I still remember the name like it was yesterday, “The WestPort” on Nelson Street. That little place holds big memories.
Q. How would you describe your experience finding a job in Canada?
A. Challenging—very challenging. I was fresh off the boat and decided to jump straight into real estate. Even though my wife’s family was already in the industry, I didn’t get any handholding. I had to prove myself first. No shortcuts. I closed my first few deals on my own before earning their trust, and honestly, that made the journey even more meaningful.
Q. What were some of the biggest surprises or challenges you faced?
A. How genuinely kind and humble people are here. The biggest challenge? Learning how to eat with chopsticks! My wife likes to joke that she’s from a Sikh family… but with Japanese and Thai influences, so I’m the only “Made in India” product in the house. Jokes aside, the real challenge was building credibility. I didn’t want clients to see me as an amateur. I would prepare obsessively, research buildings, understand details, even drive to showings a day in advance just to figure out parking. I learned the business the hard way, but I loved every bit of that grind.
Q. How has your experience as an immigrant shaped your view of Canada?
A. No country is perfect. I’ve faced some hardships, moments of racism, and the usual challenges of starting over. But I stayed focused on building a future for my family. You can’t let obstacles define your journey; you have to outgrow them.
Q. What do you miss most about your home country?
A. Food—without a doubt. Being a Delhi guy, I miss good, simple Dhaba-style food that doesn’t break the bank. I’m not much of a fine-dining person. That said, Vancouver has some incredible options now… You just have to be ready for the bill at the end.
Q. How do you see the future for yourself and your family in Canada?
A. It’s a challenging time, especially in real estate. Expectations are harder to meet, and businesses are feeling the pressure. I hope that things stabilize, not just for us, but across industries. I also hope BC becomes even safer and stronger for our kids’ future. It’s a shared responsibility; individuals and government both have a role to play.
Q. Proudest Moment in Canada
A. The day my first son, Arin, was born becoming the first Canadian-born member of our family. And the day I received my first commission cheque… which was ten times what I used to earn in a month back in India. That was a full-circle moment.
Q. Advice for Immigrants
A. Come to Canada with realistic expectations. Life here is beautiful—but there are no shortcuts. Work in a way that lets you sleep peacefully at night, not worry about cutting corners. And if someone from our community tells you, “Don’t worry, ho jayega…”—that’s exactly when you should start worrying!
.jpg "WATCH: Meet local award winning filmmaker Harish Masand")
