In this article are analized the results of a qualitative research. The study highlights factors that influence positively or negatively the living standart of different groups of population. The research is focused on the relevation of human, financial, social, physical resources leading to the livelihood difersification. From this point of view, the author tries to identify the causes of living standarts changes, analyzing the context in which for some people transformations create opportunities, advantages, but for others only disadvantages and risks. Thus, there are sought explanations why some manage to escape poverty, while others remain as poor as before.