It's a city of 6 million and and metro area of 16 Million.... This is what make RIO interesting, it's vibrant, cultured, a unique huge city set in a stunning location. FYI: To me NYC is paradise from harlem, the bronx to lower manhattan ... I love big, vibrant, CRAZY, a city with an edge. So your definition of paradise maybe much different than mine. So don't tell me not to pretend it's not paradise, to me Kauai would be torture... BORING.

My point is I find it ridiculous for anyone to complain about the crime if you are from America... there are cities in the US who have a higher homicide rate than Rio or Sao Paulo. Detroit, St Louis, Chicago and our Nations Capital for example. Have you hung out in the U-Street Corridor in DC, lots of crime. I rent out a place not far from the convention center and often you will hear gun fire at night, it's an up and coming neighborhood just a short walk from the US Capital Building.