3k? I didn't have the patience to save up that much. If I were you, I would travel short trips without the money and items of sentimental value. My first night on the streets with like $200 in my pocket, it all got spent FAST, mostly on booze, weed, and tobacco, but I'm good at that. I recommend putting that money in a savings account and collect a little interest so that you can land safe on your feet AFTER you travel. My first travel, I lost almost everything (even my passport), learned to deal without money (it's easier than you imagine now), and when I came back, my shoes were shot to hell and I had to work a week before I could afford new shoes (but I bought the best walking/running shoes I could get and they were a dream). Then I knew I didn't need all the fancy stuff to travel with I didn't NEED anything, but there are certain things I would bring because I knew what I want.
You can deal without the money. However, you might want to bring a small amount just to get used to things, $300 can buy me delicious meals and local transit fare for WEEKS (unless you're a smoker/drinker/smoker/etc [not worth it], or you see your dream guitar/skateboard for a bargain [worth it!]).
However, the stuff you have compiled into a pack may be essential so that you can see what to bring and what not to bring (again, don't bring items of sentimental value, somebody could lift your pack quicker than you think). Don't let your bag/stuff/guitar/skateboard out of your site! If you do, kiss it goodbye! If your pack is too heavy (that's normal when starting to backpack), you'll throw/give/stash things away just to make your back feel better. Plan on wearing your pack all day, every day. and pack it so you can sit on it, that way you have a nice seat/backrest/pillow (don't pack a laptop unless you want to break it, I find an iPod touch [or smartphone] is a great substitute).
Lastly, I've lived here 25 years and I realized that there isn't much of a difference between the damn yuppies and the damn hippies/punks (that everybody talks about). I get to hear both sides of it, and either way it just sounds like wining. upper class, middle class, lower class, who cares? That's all a story about OTHER people, worry about yourself. Those suburbs wouldn't be there for no reason. Fortunately, you're young and free enough to explore what you want. Do what you think is awesome, anywhere you can. If you're stepping on somebody's toes, get away from their toes, If somebody's stepping on your toes, get your toes away from them.
You'll see. Right on for taking a stand for yourself though.
Oh and yea, be very vague when you meet new people, it's fun to have a little mystery. If they ask, yeah, tell them. If they don't ask, then they might not want to know. If you tell them what they don't want to know, they'll shove it in your face and it'll stink when they do.
