With increasing economic opportunities and the allure of cultural attractions in the 21st century, many college students are leaving their hometowns and moving to urban areas after graduation, and Hofstra students are no exception. To benefit the student body, Hofstra University invited Cooper & Cooper Real Estate to a seminar discussion on apartment hunting in New York City on Wednesday, March 4.

 Corae Calbert, a junior psychology major, is looking to live in a New York City apartment when she graduates. She attended the seminar “to learn more information about the apartment searching process.”

Calbert and about 25 other Hofstra students listened in for a presentation by Lauren Carter, an associate at Cooper & Cooper Real Estate, about the ins and outs of renting in New York City.

“The purpose of today’s presentation was to help New York City-bound graduating seniors find an apartment, and educate them as to what they can expect when it comes time for them to begin their apartment search,” Carter said.

In her presentation, Carter talked about the importance of having certain amenities in an apartment complex, such as a laundry room, gym and lounge. Floor plans of apartments with studios and bedrooms were displayed. “I learned different types of apartments that were available in New York City that I wasn’t aware of before,” Calbert said.

 Later in the presentation, Carter detailed what the application process for renting an apartment in New York City entails. This was an important issue for many attendees, since post-graduation is often the first time students live away from their parents or university housing, and the first time they begin fully paying for the cost of living.

The presentation also included information on what paperwork and required documents are needed in order to apply for an apartment, the difference between tenants and guarantors and certified check leasing. Carter also laid out the price differences between studio apartments and bedroom apartments. Attendees were urged to act decisively when it comes to claiming an apartment, working together with roommates and exercising caution against scams and frauds.

“These are all very practical things that students don’t often know when it comes time to look for an apartment, and with this knowledge, hopefully they will be better equipped and more confident when the time comes,” Carter said.