Neptune Beach traces its origins to 1922 when resident Dan Wheeler built his own train station, making it one of the smallest beach communities in northeast Florida. The city incorporated in 1931 and remains one of the few Jacksonville-area municipalities that maintained independence during the 1968 consolidation. Located on San Pablo Island between Atlantic Beach and Jacksonville Beach, this compact 2.3-square-mile community offers direct beach access while maintaining convenient proximity to greater Jacksonville.

Renters in Neptune Beach enjoy living within walking distance of the Atlantic Ocean and the Beaches Town Center, a lively district at the Neptune Beach-Atlantic Beach border featuring local favorites like Southern Grounds Coffee and the Lemon Bar. The community offers multiple public beach access points, including the popular Neptune Beach Access at Florida Boulevard. Housing options include intimate apartment communities, townhomes, and single-family rentals, with many properties just blocks from the shoreline. The median household income exceeds $109,000, reflecting the area's established coastal character.

Neptune Beach connects to downtown Jacksonville via Atlantic Boulevard, typically a 20-minute drive west. The community features Neptune Beach Elementary School and Fletcher Middle and High Schools, while the Beaches Branch of the Jacksonville Public Library serves local residents. Major employers in the area include Naval Station Mayport and various healthcare facilities throughout the Jacksonville metro area. The rental market reflects the area's coastal appeal, with average rent for a one-bedroom apartment around $1,485 per month.