Hi, why would you want to be close to Playa Dorada would be my first question? Playa Dorada is about 10-15 min outside of Puerto Plata, and it is a gated tourist complex. Around in nothing but nature and the mainroad that goes between Puerto Plata and Cabarete.
If you are counting on work in Playa Dorada, be prepared it is hard.
Hotels do not hire foreigners, some excursion companies does in selling and then you?ll get a commission based salary, you will stand in the Plaza Mall trying to get people to buy tours from you. (They have the same option from their tour reps, at the hotel and by the pool ).
You can earn anything from 0 to very little, 100-200 US on a month from working 6 days a week.
Other options might be to look in to bars, telemarketing etc. For that you need to be here, get a net of people.
And of course all depends on your skills. Do you speak any languages?
How long will you be here? Speak Spanish? Do you know the island and the culture?
Puerto Plata is still closest to Playa Dorada if you plan to look for work there.
In Sosua or Cabarete your chances might be bigger though, although there you?ll find apartments etc more expensive.
Any apartments you?ll find in advance, even in Puerto Plata, are for tourist rental ( long term ) and prices are higher. If you are staying for a long time, you might win by getting a hotel the first nights and look for a furnished apartment upon arrival.
It takes time to find work here, depending on your skills of course, and on your personality, but don?t expect it to happen the first week.
It doesn?t work like that here. Everything takes time.