Reportable Segments - Consolidated Net Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2023
Segment Reporting Information
Operations revenues	$ 387,256	$ 388,813	$ 1,153,843	$ 1,128,779
Depreciation and amortization	(50,934)	(50,968)	(153,386)	(152,934)
Income before income taxes and other items	82,787	81,029	279,084	234,672
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Income from other investments, net	16,440	15,658	48,186	51,283
General and administrative	(9,274)	(9,895)	(30,248)	(38,163)
Casualty-related charges/(recoveries), net	(591)	0	20,422	0
Other expenses	(1,402)	(1,338)	(4,120)	(4,187)
Interest and related amortization	(36,497)	(33,434)	(106,077)	(99,144)
Income tax benefit	0	0	(239)	0
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	5,874	661	6,736	2,158
Early debt retirement	(30)	(68)	(30)	(68)
Consolidated net income	86,863	80,741	284,261	233,249
Total assets	5,644,119	5,626,291	5,644,119	5,626,291	$ 5,613,733
Capital improvements	58,398	82,170	175,629	231,172
Property Operations
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Total assets	5,397,984	5,351,993	5,397,984	5,351,993
Capital improvements	55,690	79,750	165,791	208,576
Home Sales and Rentals Operations
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Total assets	246,135	274,298	246,135	274,298
Capital improvements	2,708	2,420	9,838	22,596
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information
Operations revenues	382,634	384,204	1,139,965	1,115,259
Operations expenses	(205,741)	(212,081)	(601,320)	(599,611)
Income from segment operations	176,893	172,123	538,645	515,648
Interest income	2,390	2,268	6,848	6,601
Depreciation and amortization	(50,934)	(50,968)	(153,386)	(152,934)
Loss on sale of real estate and impairment, net		(949)	(1,798)	(3,581)
Income before income taxes and other items	126,551	122,474	390,309	365,734
Operating Segments | Property Operations
Segment Reporting Information
Operations revenues	362,304	351,243	1,069,027	1,029,609
Operations expenses	(188,217)	(183,579)	(540,673)	(526,052)
Income from segment operations	174,087	167,664	528,354	503,557
Interest income	1,916	1,637	5,361	4,819
Depreciation and amortization	(48,528)	(48,242)	(145,920)	(144,659)
Loss on sale of real estate and impairment, net		(949)	(1,798)	(3,581)
Income before income taxes and other items	125,677	120,110	385,997	360,136
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Income from other investments, net	16,440	15,658	48,186	51,283
Operating Segments | Home Sales and Rentals Operations
Segment Reporting Information
Operations revenues	20,330	32,961	70,938	85,650
Operations expenses	(17,524)	(28,502)	(60,647)	(73,559)
Income from segment operations	2,806	4,459	10,291	12,091
Interest income	474	631	1,487	1,782
Depreciation and amortization	(2,406)	(2,726)	(7,466)	(8,275)
Loss on sale of real estate and impairment, net		0	0	0
Income before income taxes and other items	874	2,364	4,312	5,598
Segment Reconciling Items
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Corporate interest income	40	8	170	22
Income from other investments, net	2,192	2,333	6,860	6,897
General and administrative	(9,274)	(9,895)	(30,248)	(38,163)
Casualty-related charges/(recoveries), net	(591)		20,422
Other expenses	(1,402)	(1,338)	(4,120)	(4,187)
Interest and related amortization	(36,497)	(33,434)	(106,077)	(99,144)
Income tax benefit			239
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 5,874	661	6,736	$ 2,158
Early debt retirement		$ (68)	$ (30)