Reportable Segments - Consolidated Net Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2023
Segment Reporting Information
Operations revenues	$ 386,568	$ 369,952
Depreciation and amortization	(51,108)	(50,502)
Income before income taxes and other items	114,749	88,567
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Income from other investments, net	15,548	17,714
General and administrative	(11,989)	(11,661)
Casualty-related charges/(recoveries), net	14,843	0
Other expenses	(1,331)	(1,468)
Interest and related amortization	(33,543)	(32,588)
Income tax benefit	239	0
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	283	524
Consolidated net income	115,271	86,459
Total assets	5,630,234	5,519,313	$ 5,613,733
Capital improvements	54,706	60,974
Property Operations
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Total assets	5,366,765	5,239,891
Capital improvements	51,408	51,412
Home Sales and Rentals Operations
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Total assets	263,469	279,422
Capital improvements	3,298	9,562
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information
Operations revenues	382,362	365,773
Operations expenses	(188,691)	(185,166)
Income from segment operations	193,671	180,607
Interest income	2,129	2,080
Depreciation and amortization	(51,108)	(50,502)
Loss on sale of real estate and impairment, net		(2,632)
Income before income taxes and other items	144,692	129,553
Operating Segments | Property Operations
Segment Reporting Information
Operations revenues	359,736	341,737
Operations expenses	(169,405)	(165,023)
Income from segment operations	190,331	176,714
Interest income	1,686	1,566
Depreciation and amortization	(48,540)	(47,755)
Loss on sale of real estate and impairment, net		(2,632)
Income before income taxes and other items	143,477	127,893
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Income from other investments, net	15,548	17,714
Operating Segments | Home Sales and Rentals Operations
Segment Reporting Information
Operations revenues	22,626	24,036
Operations expenses	(19,286)	(20,143)
Income from segment operations	3,340	3,893
Interest income	443	514
Depreciation and amortization	(2,568)	(2,747)
Loss on sale of real estate and impairment, net		0
Income before income taxes and other items	1,215	1,660
Segment Reconciling Items
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Corporate interest income	39	8
Income from other investments, net	2,038	2,091
General and administrative	(11,989)	(11,661)
Casualty-related charges/(recoveries), net	14,843
Other expenses	(1,331)	(1,468)
Interest and related amortization	(33,543)	(32,588)
Income tax benefit	239
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 283	$ 524