Note that there is a difference between danger and stress. A person can live in a society with a high violent death rate, and not lead a very stressful life. The question is one of personal control, and constance of the threat. You reported the comments made about the US, so I must respond. American society is at its' best when the people are heavily armed and unregulated.
People tend to be more cautious in that state, and more polite, too.
It also makes the government more discreet in its' attempts to impose on the people's liberties. The problems in city ghettos are caused by drug prohibition. Legalize drugs, and much of the violence will stop. Expect the people you saw on TV to dramatically overrate a problem. Most of them are poor because of choices they made themselves.