Reportable Segments - Consolidated Net Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Dec. 31, 2022
Segment Reporting Information
Depreciation and amortization	$ (50,968)	$ (52,547)	$ (152,934)	$ (152,737)
Loss on sale of real estate and impairment, net	(949)	(3,747)	(3,581)	(3,747)
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Income from other investments, net	15,658	15,580	51,283	43,316
General and administrative	(9,895)	(11,086)	(38,163)	(34,834)
Other expenses	(1,338)	(1,627)	(4,187)	(6,880)
Interest and related amortization	(33,434)	(29,759)	(99,144)	(85,276)
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	661	1,465	2,158	2,889
Early debt retirement	(68)	0	(68)	(1,156)
Consolidated net income	80,741	70,509	233,249	222,149
Total assets	5,626,291	5,405,446	5,626,291	5,405,446	$ 5,492,519
Capital improvements	82,170	55,579	231,172	185,916
Property Operations
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Total assets	5,351,993	5,160,230	5,351,993	5,160,230
Capital improvements	79,750	49,553	208,576	169,233
Home Sales and Rentals Operations
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Total assets	274,298	245,216	274,298	245,216
Capital improvements	2,420	6,026	22,596	16,683
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information
Operations revenues	384,204	376,705	1,115,259	1,094,210
Operations expenses	(212,081)	(213,159)	(599,611)	(602,586)
Income from segment operations	172,123	163,546	515,648	491,624
Interest income	2,268	1,863	6,601	5,341
Depreciation and amortization	(50,968)	(52,547)	(152,934)	(152,737)
Loss on sale of real estate and impairment, net	(949)	(3,747)	(3,581)	(3,747)
Income from operations	122,474	109,115	365,734	340,481
Operating Segments | Property Operations
Segment Reporting Information
Operations revenues	351,243	338,208	1,029,609	984,535
Operations expenses	(183,579)	(179,775)	(526,052)	(506,739)
Income from segment operations	167,664	158,433	503,557	477,796
Interest income	1,637	1,441	4,819	4,198
Depreciation and amortization	(48,242)	(50,026)	(144,659)	(145,200)
Loss on sale of real estate and impairment, net	(949)	(2,289)	(3,581)	(2,289)
Income from operations	120,110	107,559	360,136	334,505
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Income from other investments, net	15,658	15,580	51,283	43,316
Operating Segments | Home Sales and Rentals Operations
Segment Reporting Information
Operations revenues	32,961	38,497	85,650	109,675
Operations expenses	(28,502)	(33,384)	(73,559)	(95,847)
Income from segment operations	4,459	5,113	12,091	13,828
Interest income	631	422	1,782	1,143
Depreciation and amortization	(2,726)	(2,521)	(8,275)	(7,537)
Loss on sale of real estate and impairment, net	0	(1,458)	0	(1,458)
Income from operations	2,364	1,556	5,598	5,976
Segment Reconciling Items
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Corporate interest income	8	2	22	5
Income from other investments, net	2,333	2,399	6,897	6,920
General and administrative	(9,895)	(11,086)	(38,163)	(34,834)
Other expenses	(1,338)	(1,627)	(4,187)	(6,880)
Interest and related amortization	(33,434)	(29,759)	(99,144)	(85,276)
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	661	$ 1,465	2,158	2,889
Early debt retirement	$ (68)		$ (68)	$ (1,156)