Why I Feel Safe in Colombia

Summary

The speaker shares their personal experience of living in Bogota, Colombia, dispelling common misconceptions about safety. Despite the city's reputation, they find it safe due to living in a good neighborhood and taking basic precautions. They acknowledge others' negative experiences but emphasize that luck and preparation play a role in safety. The video also contrasts Bogota's safety with other cities, highlighting the importance of personal lifestyle choices and the need for a balanced view of crime statistics.

Takeaways

• 🏡 The speaker feels safe living in Bogota, Colombia, attributing this to personal experiences and living in a nice neighborhood.
• 🔒 Taking basic precautions is emphasized as important for safety, regardless of the location in the world.
• 🌍 The speaker acknowledges that others may have different, valid experiences and opinions about safety in Bogota.
• 📱 A personal anecdote shared was about having a phone nearly stolen while walking in the street, highlighting the need for situational awareness.
• 🤝 The speaker has not experienced significant issues in Bogota, suggesting that associating with good people and being aware of surroundings can contribute to safety.
• 🏘️ Living in a 'wealthy neighborhood' is a personal choice for safety, and the speaker could opt for even safer gated communities but chooses not to.
• 🌐 The speaker does not advocate for Bogota as the ultimate safe place but shares their positive experiences as evidence of its safety.
• 📊 Bogota is not in the top 50 most dangerous cities in terms of homicide rates, suggesting it may be safer than commonly perceived.
• 🌐 The speaker contrasts their positive experience in Bogota with negative experiences in other countries, like Nicaragua.
• 📈 The speaker mentions that Bogota has changed dramatically over the past 20 years and criticizes the outdated perception that it is still dangerous.
• 💼 The speaker discusses the importance of creating one's own reality and not being influenced by others' negative experiences or perceptions.

Q & A

How long has the speaker been visiting Bogota, Colombia?

The speaker has been visiting Bogota for about a decade.

Why does the speaker feel safe living in Bogota?

The speaker feels safe in Bogota due to living in a nice neighborhood, taking basic precautions, and having a good understanding of the area from personal experiences.

What is the speaker's view on the necessity of living in a safe neighborhood?

The speaker believes that no matter where they live in the world, they would choose to live in a nice, comfortable, and safe neighborhood.

What was the only issue the speaker had in Colombia?

The only issue the speaker had in Colombia was a failed attempt by a motorcyclist to grab their phone while walking on the street.

How does the speaker's experience in Colombia compare to other places they have lived?

The speaker feels that Bogota is safer than some other places they have lived, such as Central American countries, and they have not experienced any major safety issues there.

What is the speaker's opinion on the safety statistics provided by The Economist?

The speaker finds The Economist's safety statistics to be questionable and potentially Western-centric, citing examples like the ranking of San Francisco as very safe despite known issues.

What misconceptions does the speaker address about Colombia?

The speaker addresses misconceptions such as the idea that Colombia is universally unsafe, pointing out that it has many good things going for it culturally and that it has changed dramatically in the last 20 years.

How does the speaker describe their lifestyle in Bogota?

The speaker describes their lifestyle in Bogota as active, living in a nice part of the city, and being aware of their surroundings without needing to live in a gated community.

What is the speaker's view on the importance of being in the right neighborhood for safety?

The speaker believes that being in the right neighborhood is crucial for safety and that they would choose to live in a safe area regardless of the country they are in.

What advice does the speaker give regarding personal safety in Bogota?

The speaker advises not to walk around with your phone in plain sight, to be aware of your surroundings, and to associate with good people and go to good places.

How does the speaker's experience in Bogota compare to their experiences in other South American cities?

The speaker finds Bogota to be safer than some other South American cities, particularly those in Central America, and feels more secure there.