I have been both homeless, and I have lived in my car... and I live in USA, supposedly "the richest" country in the world. I came here from Denmark for "opportunities," but those opportunities are more like winning the the lottery than they are available simply by hard work.
Isn't is an idea in our head that the USA is the greatest country in the world? A peptalk is fine but if I hear and see how children in the USA a brainwashed by songs, verses from Kindergarten on I feel uncomfortable. It's great to believe in something but one needs to be realistic too.
I wonder what you expected to find in the USA what you couldn't find in your own or neighbour countries.
It's good to hear you have a home now and I really hope it will stay that way.
I wish you a great X-mas and all the best for the new year.