Yup I know its not all rainbows and flowers over there, Micheal Moore even said so himself, he was just picking the flowers from the weeds, just the best things they have. Its still a whole lot better than what we have over here!
Greece is a basket case that can't pay the pensions of it's retired government workers. France is a massive slum once you get out of the tourist areas. Italy's largest industry is having elections. A few years ago, they had 4 governments in 1 year. It's simply not safe to be on the street in Germany if you are a woman, and it's getting worse.
The USA isn't always safe, but a person can stay safe with a little care and a lot of politeness. Ya gotta remember that pretty much everyone has a gun, so rudeness is not the way to go.
I don't know if you can feel safe in the Downtown Eastside, I can - I'm a guy. But, pretty much everywhere I go in Burnaby and Vancouver - I feel safe and am safe.
If you want to really be safe, go to China. Packs of Police Officers everywhere. (always a pack, never just one) Of course, it's a police state and "justice" is very rapid. From committing crime to being executed can take less than a week.
If you want an extensive social welfare network, Finland, Norway and Sweden are where to be. Their politics aren't crazy and their streets are safe for most women.
The worst thing about Canada is all of the people that have never been anywhere, that buy into the idea that we are a terrible place to live. If you want to live in a terrible place, try visiting just about anywhere in Africa. An ABC news reporter was gang raped by hundreds because she went around a corner without her armed guards. Children have children because if it's female it will be raped - they rape goats if a human female isn't immediately available - no girls, no goats - a young boy will do. People die because someone saw a Timex on their wrist. Nobody with any sense displays anything of value where it can be seen. Houses are built with no openings at ground level, stairs to the armoured portal at the second floor.
We have it pretty damn good in Canada.