Tips on renting an apartment

fIt's the norm to pay one year in advance, even 2 years, after all it's the Company you or your husband works for since you are expatriates, aren't you?

One year in advance is normal here. Many want a two year contract, but I would suggest that's a bad idea, and you can usually get it down to a year anyway.
Make sure the area isn't prone to flooding.
Check monthly payment for security, water, and electricity. (Some places are seriously expensive)
Why an apartment? Houses in a local complex are commonly a lot cheaper and better places to live.
Make sure you live near work/kids' school - Jakarta's traffic jams can add hours onto your day.

NEVER even look at a place if the rent is quoted in US$ - they're always rip off jobs, aimed at expats with more money than brains, or as green as a Dollar bill.