If you are a greenhorn then the answer is yes; ansolutely.
as long as we are categorizing people here, there is really barely sny difference at all between homebums and weathered travelers (of the jobless/sign flying/trash talking/trash tossing variety) that are everywhere/omnipresent, and constantly on the net.
You will find much drug abuse, many dogs, many idiots, a lot of kids in need of an AA, and even more than that.. attention seeking dolts and sex addicts. Traveling or begging on the same city block for years it makes little difference. They all use their unconventional means of living as an excuse to preach and generally talk shit to everyone/anyone thats listening, no matter how intelligent they may come off at first.
thats said, realizing this, you still have a chance at making it work, making it enjoyable. Congratulations.
I recommend heading south first, because if you survive that you are bullet proof in the west.
Take care lil bro