A Tale of Two Cities

869 Words4 Pages
During my active duty military service I had the opportunity to live in and visit many different cities. Of all the cities I lived in, I spent most of my military time in Charleston, S.C. and Jacksonville, FL. Charleston and Jacksonville were similar in size, geography and population types, but differed greatly in history, weather, and the overall attitudes of its residents. If I had to choose between the two cities as the place to call my home, it would be without a doubt, Charleston, S.C.

Charleston and Jacksonville were both considered large port cities, each with a portion of their populations consisting of military families. Although Jacksonville was larger in area than Charleston, folks who lived in the Charleston area considered James Island, Johns Island, Mount Pleasant, Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms and North Charleston as being part of the greater Charleston area. Including these areas made Charleston feel similar in size to Jacksonville.

Charleston and Jacksonville had a steady flow of cargo and container ships. Ships accessed the port of Charleston by way of the Cooper River, while the port of Jacksonville was accessed from the St. John’s River. Both port cities shipped and received automobiles, food, bulk, and break bulk containers of miscellaneous goods.

Another similarity between these two cities was the existence of military installations, which brought large numbers of military families to these cities. The U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Air Force all had bases in Charleston, while Jacksonville was home to the U.S. Coast Guard, a U.S. Naval Air Station and the Florida Air National Guard.

Despite the similarities between the two cities, there were also many differences. Charleston and Jacksonvill...

... middle of paper ...

...eling that is common with big city life.

I have to admit, both Charleston and Jacksonville are beautiful cities if taken at face value, but only Charleston had that small town atmosphere that made me feel as though I were at home. If I had to call any other place home, as opposed to where I now live, it would be Charleston, S.C.

Works Cited

"The Greater Charleston Area." Charleston Real Estate - Luxury Guide for Charleston SC. Web. 30 Mar. 2011. .

The Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT). Web. 30 Mar. 2011. .

"Port of Charleston Home." South Carolina Ports. Web. 01 Apr. 2011. .

"History of Jacksonville, Florida." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 01 Apr. 2011. .
Show More
Related

  • Health Assessment of Hillsborough County, FL

    1862 Words  | 8 Pages

    (2013, December 15). Retrieved from www.hillsborough.communityatlas.usf.edu: http://www.hillsborough.communityatlas.usf.edu/demographics/default.asp?ID=12057 Hillsborough County: Demographics: Hillsborough Community Atlas. (2013, December 15). Retrieved from www.hillsborough.communityatlas.usf.edu/demographics/default.asp?ID=12057 Hillsborough, F. D. (2011-2012). Florida Health Hillsborough County Annual Report Fiscal Year 2011-2012.

    Read More

  • Vladimir Putin and the Ukraine Crisis

    1649 Words  | 7 Pages

    Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 11 Jan. 2014. Web. 20 May. 2014. Wikipedia contributors.

    Read More

  • Mega and Super Yacht Building and Design

    1474 Words  | 6 Pages

    "Ocean Co 269 "Alfa Nero"." Yacht Forums. vBulletin Solutions, 2011. Web. 12 Dec 2011. .

    Read More

  • Memphis: A Rich Life for Any Budget

    2104 Words  | 9 Pages

    Memphis is the greatest place to live. Often overshadowed by its sister city, Nashville; Memphis has much to offer its residents. The big city atmosphere offers countless opportunities for entertainment and activity. With its many beautiful neighborhoods one is sure to find the home of their dreams at the price they can afford. The cost of living is remarkably low; especially in contrast to the rest of the nation.

    Read More

  • Where to Vacation?: Libya vs. United States

    1546 Words  | 7 Pages

    and has a temple of Apollo (“T... ... middle of paper ... ...el Weekly (UK) (2009): 25-30. Hospitality & Tourism Complete. EBSCO. Web. 19 Sept. 2011.

    Read More

  • The Revolution of the Southern Baptist World

    1252 Words  | 6 Pages

    Cooperative Program: Love in Action. Southern Baptist Convention, n.d. Web. 29 Feb. 2012.

    Read More

  • river city: Jacksonville, Florida

    1799 Words  | 8 Pages

    It was a city of multiple personalities, Jacksonville held so many opportunities for so many different experiences, from the industrial side of the Northside, the fast paced feeling of a big city, the soothing waves of the beaches, the open range feel of the flat plain of the west side, to the suburban life of the Southside. My childhood was defined by the city of Jacksonville and all it had to offer. Which is why Jacksonville should continue to be sustained as a great place to raise a child, and grow up in. At the time of my birth Jacksonville held a population of 672,971 people. Two decades later that population had exploded to 836,507.

    Read More

  • The Perfectly Imperfect Election

    1649 Words  | 7 Pages

    United States, n.d. Web. 12 November 2011. Walterboro, South Carolina. Officials of the City of Walterboro.

    Read More

  • The Pitfalls of Cosmetic Surgery

    1584 Words  | 7 Pages

    Web. 30 Jan. 2011. Trigaux, Robert. "Job Makeover." St. Petersburg Times (St. Petersburg, FL).

    Read More

  • Microsoft and Skype

    2818 Words  | 12 Pages

    Scenario Planning for Tomorrow. Available: http://sbinformation.about.com/cs/newseconomy/a/scenario_2.htm. Last accessed 21st June 2011. 18. IRM.

    Read More

More about A Tale of Two Cities

Open Document