Expat Community > Colombia

Felipe58
Joined 2011
Posts: 467

Really how safe are the areas picked by ExPats?

12 years ago

Where ever I have lived, it has always amused me, how people pick their 'safe haven' for themselves and their families, and defend it's reputation despite evidence to the contrary.

When working as a Policeman in the UK, I worked rural areas, and covered Villages, which had become havens for the rich, and also the playground for Criminals, who spent more time there than on the Council Estates!

I then moved to Spain, and again through my relationship with the Guardia Civil, found that the areas frequented by the rich, and those in 'fur coat and no knickers' were the worst areas for crime.

Finally I moved to Colombia, and happily live just outside Medellin, but all I hear is how ExPats want to live in El Poblado (estrato 6) and to quote a recent post ' would not stray beyond without armed escort.' I was talking with Colombian Family and friends last night, and quoted this to them, they fell about laughing in disbelief, they asked if these people were not aware that most of the high level 'Narcotraficos' lived there, and in fact it is a dangerous place to live.
To quote them, 'Gringos think money buys safety, but that is not true'.

I can only agree with the comments made, because I have lived in estrato 3 during my time here, and never had any problems, I am not saying it is better than the higher estrato, just that if you find the right place, you do not have to extend yourself financially to live here in safety.

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SJB Global is a top-rated financial advisory firm specializing in expat financial advice worldwide, offering retirement planning & tax-efficient solutions with a regressive fee model.
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SJB Global is a top-rated financial advisory firm specializing in expat financial advice worldwide, offering retirement planning & tax-efficient solutions with a regressive fee model.
Learn More

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Expat Community > Colombia

Really how safe are the areas picked by ExPats?

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