Segment Reporting (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Reconciliation of NOI to net income
Net income	$ 170,869	$ 168,305	$ 338,875	$ 338,723
Indirect operating expenses, net of corporate income	23,407	23,018	46,206	42,740
Expensed transaction, development and other pursuit costs, net of recoveries	388	1,766	3,722	2,388
Interest expense, net	53,399	50,010	109,313	97,902
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net	268	229	9,438	509
General and administrative expense	15,573	18,965	32,893	32,671
Equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated real estate entities	(512)	(197)	(1,687)	863
Depreciation expense	176,249	162,693	354,160	324,749
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(1,133)	0	(1,042)	(6)
Gain on sale of communities	(35,295)	(20,530)	(59,731)	(35,365)
Gain on other real estate transactions, net	(156)	(34)	(199)	(300)
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Other Investments	(1,348)	945	(4,808)	1,418
Net operating income from real estate assets sold or held for sale	(336)	(5,075)	(1,232)	(11,281)
Net operating income	$ 401,373	$ 400,095	$ 825,908	$ 795,011