Terminal wanderlust describes a feeling often experienced by individuals from transient middle-class backgrounds. This phenomenon occurs when they find it difficult to establish a sense of belonging in one place. As a result, they frequently seek new environments, hoping to discover an ideal community that fulfills their emotional needs.

In Douglas Coupland's book "Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture," this concept highlights the restlessness of a generation faced with the challenges of modern life. The pursuit of community becomes a journey filled with constant movement, reflecting a deeper struggle for connection and identity in an ever-changing society.