Games are tougher online than live in general. You also see a lot more hands per hour. Just focus on playing optimal poker and making the best decisions in each individual hand and if you're losing just move down until you grind your bankroll back up.
I tend to agree with you, On-line there are more dedicated players who will take the time to study the game and the tac-tics needed to be a reasonably good player, the hands are dealt a lot quicker, so the games are a lot quicker, also there is a time limit to how long you have to make a decision to Call, Raise or Fold, So they run a lot smoother.
Live games however run a lot Slower because Players take their time to make decisions as they have seen the Pros do it on the TV. so they don't want to look stupid folding, even though they might look at their hand before it is their turn to act and decide in a split second that its a hand to go straight in the bin.
Many times in a Live game I have looked at a dealt hand, and mentally clicked on the fold button in my head, knowing I am not going to play that hand, but still had to wait until it is my turn to act before shoving my cards forward into the muck. Playing out of Turn in a live game is a dead giveaway that you are a novice at the game, and don't play that much.
On-line players tend to be more aggressive because they know how to play, You still get the novices but most are generally good players, that deserve a little respect. Live games however are dependant on the place where you are playing, In Pubs anyone can play and most are weekend players who only play once a week, but they are far from an easy pushover because they will play almost any two cards just to get involved.
In
casinos you will get a better standard of player because they are more motivated to win and most have been playing for years, the buy-ins are usually bigger than the Pub games therefore the Players are more seasoned. You still get the odd "Fish" or novice, but not as many.
The biggest attraction of Live Poker though is the Social Interaction between players, something you don't get clicking buttons On-line. I have made more Friends Playing Live games than I have On-line.
Staying at home, it's hard to get a tan... 
