Whoever that guy is... he is an idiot.
1000 is average rent here for regular 2 bed 1 bath house which is no more than 10 foot from neighbor... in average to low income neighborhood.
Move to better a little bigger... 2 baths... little bit bigger lot... say no more than 20 foot from neighbor... your at 1300 a month.
NO water,,, NO nothing.
And you upkeep,,, everything including yard.
That is average... you want nice neighborhood with some real space... break out 2,500.
You can get a small 900 SQF place for less than 1000,,, but you may not like the neighbors.
Crap holes are cheaper.