I agree with others above that urban west-coast America isn't the America I know.

I've discussed with others in the UK that when British people (sorry to lump you in with them!) visit the US for the first time, their opinion of America generally improves a lot, whereas when Americans visit London (for that is where they generally go), their opinion usually becomes more negative: "What?! You mean not everyone lives in a manor house? Or has servants?" I'm exaggerating slightly, but I have observed the effect many times.