If you are happy with slow growth then yes, it is a very safe investment and will rise this year. However, do not expect massive growth as it has already been to the moon. You should invest in cheaper coins that will reach the same price as ethereum. Take a look at LISK and NEO, both of which are competitors to ethereum and will rise rapidly this year. LISK is cheaper, but NEO is already ready with ICOs - both are better investments for 2018
Quite funny, but I guess you're right mate. Although Ethereum is steady, its gains go really slow as compared to other cryptocurrencies in its level. However, for many people, having that "steady" aspect of growth is better because that kind of status is hard to achieve in this market, since many coins go under quite easy. Unfortunately, these days, Ethereum has been sharing that same fate because it has really fell quite hardly in past several months. It is currently at 171 dollars give or take, and it has not shown any significant growth in the past several months. However, if you would look at the positive, I think that it's a good time to buy and invest at the moment to hold for future profit.