Choosing between PhD offers - top supervisor at my current institution or good supervisor at new university I have offers for a funded PhD at equally prestigious universities in the same country. One is the university I did my undergrad (and doing my masters) in, with a &quot;rising star&quot; PhD supervisor that is very well known in my (small) subfield. The supervisor at the other (new) university is more senior, known in the field but not extremely popular.
In academic terms, it is clear that I should stay at my current university. However, I have heard many times the advice that it is good to change university for personal and academic development. From a personal point of view, I would feel excited to move university (and city). I am aiming at an academic career and so I feel that it would be too risky not to take the top supervisor at my current university (since this would give me stronger LORs and connections).
I have asked PhD students who know the advisors, and they all strongly encouraged me to take the one at my current university. They didn't do their undergrad there, however, so they didn't have the experience I would have of being 8 years in the same city and university...
My questions are:

Should I stay at my current university with the top supervisor?
If so, how to mitigate the negative effects of remaining in the same city and school?

Thanks a lot!
A PhD starts a career, it doesn't define it.
There are benefits to moving, there are benefits to staying. Benefits aren't limited to now. You can seek those benefits later.
Move at some point in your career, not necessarily now.