I was wondering if any of you guys that have actually been to Medellin or other big cities in Colombia know how safe it'd be to live in a estrato 3 barrio in Medellin.
The barrio is controlled by an armed gang, which according to my girlfriend, is a good thing since they protect the residents from outside criminals. The gang does no harm to the people living in the barrio but it's been known to be violent to anyone who dares to steal, kill or do anything against the residents.
I'm Latin American and a native Spanish speaker. I plan to rent an apartment or home in that barrio just to be close to my girlfriend that lives there. She says I will not be in danger but even though I might look like any of the people in the barrio, I'm still a foreigner and don't know if that could be a problem.
One last thing, I don't trust her mother at all. She's quite cold, dishonest and cares only about money. I know she has a good relationship with the gang's leader who is said to be an ex-paramilitar. The guy has promised to protect her business which is located in the barrio.
I plan to let my GF stay overnight at my place. I don't know if that could cause problems with her mom. My GF has a TERRIBLE relationship with her. I'm afraid I won't be able to intervene in my GF's defense when there is a problem, I wouldn't want to piss off her mom (remember she's friends with the gang's leader).
Any advice? Would it be safe to live in this barrio?
The barrio is controlled by an armed gang, which according to my girlfriend, is a good thing since they protect the residents from outside criminals. The gang does no harm to the people living in the barrio but it's been known to be violent to anyone who dares to steal, kill or do anything against the residents.
I'm Latin American and a native Spanish speaker. I plan to rent an apartment or home in that barrio just to be close to my girlfriend that lives there. She says I will not be in danger but even though I might look like any of the people in the barrio, I'm still a foreigner and don't know if that could be a problem.
One last thing, I don't trust her mother at all. She's quite cold, dishonest and cares only about money. I know she has a good relationship with the gang's leader who is said to be an ex-paramilitar. The guy has promised to protect her business which is located in the barrio.
I plan to let my GF stay overnight at my place. I don't know if that could cause problems with her mom. My GF has a TERRIBLE relationship with her. I'm afraid I won't be able to intervene in my GF's defense when there is a problem, I wouldn't want to piss off her mom (remember she's friends with the gang's leader).
Any advice? Would it be safe to live in this barrio?