It's actually quite easy to avoid schismatic or heretical 'Orthodox' groups: just stick to the jurisidictions whose hierarchs are members of SCOBA (GOA, OCA, Antiochian, Serbian, . . .), or pick a ROCOR parish. (Though the last choice--while thoroughly sound in doctrine and praxis--can be a bit off-putting with their very vigorous adherence to all of the rigors of Slavic folk-piety, as well as the canons.)
Thanks, it is helpful to know that. We once looked into a Russian Orthodox church and the parishioners did seem to consider Russian-ness an integral part of church membership. so much so that they seemed distinctly unwelcoming to non-Russian converts. Having said that, I do believe that a strong ethnic component has enabled the Orthodox churches in the U.S. to withstand the assaults of "MTV culture" better than the Catholic and Protestant churches have done.