Living in Oslo captures the essence of “la dolce vita,” where urban vibrancy meets serene nature. For Riccardo Busato, a product designer from Italy, the city offers rich career opportunities and a refreshing work-life balance.
"La dolce vita" is an Italian phrase that translates to "the sweet life." It’s typically associated with the Italian lifestyle of friends and family gathering in the sun, enjoying great food and having good times.
For Riccardo Busato, Oslo offers just as much “la dolce vita” as his hometown of Verona in northern Italy. Even on a snowy day when he walked to the office his first year, he thought to himself, “This is the sweet life.”
“It was dark, cold, and snowy everywhere. It’s one of the most beautiful memories I have from my first year. The peacefulness and zen that this city gets when covered in snow is just something you have to experience.”
Riccardo goes so far as to describe living in Oslo as a perfect life. The career opportunities, combined with an emphasis on work-life balance and healthy living, make Oslo a very enjoyable place to live, he thinks.
“It’s not about avoiding work; people work a lot, including me. It’s more about no one expecting you to work late or on weekends. You do it because you want to, and it’s meaningful—that's a significant difference."
Riccardo's company, Findable, is looking for more talented people.
Where Oslo’s Tech Scene Excels
Riccardo Busato moved to Oslo in 2022. His interest in environmental and social entrepreneurship is what initially drew him to the Norwegian capital.
He was determined to spend his career working on meaningful projects that positively impact both people and the planet.
Many companies and organizations based in Oslo, and Norway as a whole, are heavily focused on sustainability and environmental stewardship. That’s definitely one of the appealing aspects of Oslo and a major reason why Busato decided to give it a shot.
He saw a position at an Oslo-based startup in August 2022, and just a few weeks later, Busato arrived. Looking back, he thinks it’s kind of crazy that he moved so far from home so quickly, especially since he had never been to Norway before.
"My number one priority was to work on something that has a positive impact. This is a key point where Oslo’s tech scene excels,” he says.
“Motivated Me to Be More Active as Well”
Riccardo is a product designer at a leading tech company in Oslo called Findable. It's an intelligent facility management system for public properties, commercial real estate and construction.
"In the beginning, I was a bit unsure whether Oslo was big enough to offer enough opportunities. Now I know the answer: it absolutely is. The more you learn and see while living here, the more you realize it’s a great starting point for building large companies with a global reach."
One of the major appealing aspects is the work-life balance. Busato describes the work environment as very trust-based.
"When I’m not working, I do a lot of sports. When I moved here, I noticed everyone was fit and active. It motivated me to be more active as well. Kayaking in the Oslofjord is fantastic, and I also enjoy running, squash, and climbing."
Many of the qualities of living in Oslo are things he often takes for granted. It’s not until he leaves and comes back that he truly appreciates what life is like here.
"It can be hard to explain," he says. "It’s a feeling you get after spending some time in the city. It is a good city with a group of smart and interesting people from all walks of life, all trying their best to live fulfilling lives, both at work and beyond."
5 reasons to live and work in Oslo
- Find your work-life balance in a city grounded in trust and flexibility
- Live in a compact city while enjoying easy access to
fjords, forests, and mountains! - Be part of an innovative and inclusive work culture where tech, startups, and sustainability opportunities abound.
- Contribute to a sustainable future, working and living in a city committed to reducing its environmental footprint.
- Enjoy a high quality of life and safety with top-tier public services, healthcare, and a safe environment for you and your family.
Riccardo's company, Findable, is looking for more talented people.
