Chris is right on about the tune. Real time is the best, but you can get an OK tune by mail. It's really up to you about how close you want to get to the ideal tune. If you're good with the mail in, by all means. It's your car. If it where me, I'd make a little trip out of it. A day at the tuner and a mini vacation perhaps. Another option is to get some dyno time and bring the tuner to you. They like road trips too. GL with your quest.

Real time is best for what? Power or safety?

For both. There is a lot to watch for. Like Chris said, once you start getting into ignition timing it can get very interesting. As mentioned above, all the motors are different as are tunes should be. Some are "Lean and mean" and others like "Fat and rich". Your tuner will hopefully find the winning combo for you. He might need to make it rich through some RPM ranges and then lean it out in others. You should be good with a "E-mail tune" but to get all you can, live is the way to go. Having said that, don't expect a huge difference in the two tunes. You're only trying to squeeze the final ponies out of your engine. Another thing to watch is the tuner himself. Some like it on the "Cutting edge" and some are "Safe". Hope it helps and let us know how you make out and who you deal with.

Good data. I see you are moving to AZ. COOL! Quite a weather switch for you...