To consider quitting my reasonably well paid job because the people are toxic?

[BrewDoggy]

I started a new career a few years ago, and have been very fortunate. I was recruited into a company and have gotten above average salary for where I live. I do appreciate my circumstance and my luck.
The downside is, the more I stay with the current company, the more I realise how cut throat and horrible the people are.
The people who made it to the top/management positions are not nice people with very little integrity. I have been quite disillusioned with my boss especially, I used to like him a lot as a boss. I do benefit him because I work hard, put extra hours and get things done.
However, I am miserable because I feel it is a toxic place. The nicer people I bonded with have all left or pushed out.
The problem is I am paid above market value, so if I leave, I will struggle to find another job that will pay me as much. I will probably lose 20% of my current salary and at the moment work is only 25 minutes away from home. I'm in a dilemma whether to stay or go. I can't ignore the toxic atmosphere and turn a blind eye on unfairness and the daily bitching. I realise I am quite unhappy and miserable but I keep talking myself out of leaving so far because I know the grass is not always greener on the other side. Would you suck it up or would you leave?

For me it's people who absolutely don't care about anyone beyond themselves, and will become irrational and vindictive if challenged. They also know who to get on side at any given time to protect themselves and make sure other people appear to be at fault for any problems. If they have power, they'll use it against you.

And yes, this description absolutely nails it! It is the ones who are nice to your face and smooth while they backstab you whom I dislike immensely. The transparent, angry ones are usually victims themselves.

If you can afford the cut then go,
Your happiness and mental health are priceless.
I say this as someone who left the perfect job with a great pay rise and pension etc in a dreadful environment, to go back to unsecured agency work in an amazing team.
It may not have been the best financial decision of my life but from a happiness perspective, it was priceless

I left my last job for exactly that reason. It was a great job and I got amazing experience but the people were HORRIBLE. It was the bitchiest place I’ve ever experienced. It was honesylikd being at school again with a bunch of adolescents. Never seen so much backstabbing, passive aggressiveness or downright immaturity in adults. I stuck it out for as long as I could to make the most of the experience and generous bonuses but after 4 years enough was enough.

My friend is in a similar position. After a lifetime of floating she got a good job, moved through the ranks and has achieved miracles to get to where she is.

Yet the people are toxic, the work doesn't end when she leaves and she's skimping on sleep to fit everything in.

She's now considering quitting to go and work in the village shop for minimum wage because her responsibility would end at the end of her shift. And I totally see the attraction