Reportable Segments - Consolidated Net Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting Information
Depreciation and amortization	$ (188,444)	$ (155,131)	$ (152,110)
Gain (Loss) on sale of real estate, net	(59)	0	52,507
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Income from other investments, net	50,298	46,008	43,063
General and administrative	(40,717)	(39,276)	(35,679)
Other expenses	(3,100)	(2,567)	(2,865)
Interest and related amortization	(108,718)	(102,771)	(104,223)
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	3,881	5,399	8,755
Early debt retirement	(2,784)	(10,786)	(1,491)
Consolidated net income	276,000	241,416	295,922
Total assets	5,307,871	4,418,969	4,151,275
Capital improvements	290,290	217,082	257,993
Property Operations
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Income from other investments, net			43,063
Total assets	5,056,991	4,160,216	3,878,770
Capital improvements	193,895	157,467	116,349
Home Sales and Rentals Operations
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Total assets	250,880	258,753	272,505
Capital improvements	96,395	59,615	141,644
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information
Operations revenues	1,260,123	1,080,268	1,020,521
Operations expenses	(655,753)	(544,900)	(506,228)
Income from segment operations	604,370	535,368	514,293
Interest income	6,986	7,139	7,180
Depreciation and amortization	(188,444)	(155,131)	(152,110)
Gain (Loss) on sale of real estate, net	(59)		52,507
Income (loss) from operations	422,853	387,376	421,870
Operating Segments | Property Operations
Segment Reporting Information
Operations revenues	1,143,606	1,017,249	969,560
Operations expenses	(550,574)	(488,153)	(461,128)
Income from segment operations	593,032	529,096	508,432
Interest income	5,068	4,385	3,856
Depreciation and amortization	(177,897)	(144,235)	(141,472)
Gain (Loss) on sale of real estate, net	(59)		52,507
Income (loss) from operations	420,144	389,246	423,323
Operating Segments | Home Sales and Rentals Operations
Segment Reporting Information
Operations revenues	116,517	63,019	50,961
Operations expenses	(105,179)	(56,747)	(45,100)
Income from segment operations	11,338	6,272	5,861
Interest income	1,918	2,754	3,324
Depreciation and amortization	(10,547)	(10,896)	(10,638)
Gain (Loss) on sale of real estate, net	0		0
Income (loss) from operations	2,709	(1,870)	(1,453)
Segment Reconciling Items
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Corporate interest income	30	15	27
Income from other investments, net	4,555	4,026	9,528
General and administrative	(40,717)	(39,276)	(35,679)
Other expenses	(3,100)	(2,567)	(2,865)
Interest and related amortization	(108,718)	(102,771)	(104,223)
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	3,881	5,399	8,755
Early debt retirement	$ (2,784)	$ (10,786)	$ (1,491)