700-800US$ per month plus electricity plus maintenance(often water comes as an additional, too), plus gas aso sounds steep for just a lil 1 bedroom appartment or studio.
i don't know all the rates in the area. at the pueblo bavaro i get often info because i am there often, kid is in school there and also my best buddy lives there and his wife is selling and renting appartments there, so we sometimes talk about the stuff/prices aso.
here at my own place in cabeza de toro i am right on the ocean front, i look on the water from the veranda, it's not anything new, but fully furniched, 2 bedrooms, cable included, electricity and gas extra, maintenance and security included, i pay $600.- per month.
just as an example.
i do not plan to move anywhere else, so i do not often ask somebody about the rental rates everywhere.
in the bavaro area are hundreds of condos/appartments available for rent, all sizes.
if you plan to stay for a long time or maybe for ever, sounds like you picked your area where you are looking on, so i would say rent a small cheap room for a couple weeks and take a rental car to get around your choosen area, you will find something quick that way and you would be able to negociate rates directly.
good luck
Mike